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JULY 19, 2019

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VOL. 7 NO. 380

WATERWAYS INSPECTION Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu (right) and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso inspect the different waterways in Barangay 718 Estero de San Antonio Abad in Malate, Manila that lead to the sea on July 13, 2019. The families, whose houses were demolished because they covered the esteros (estuary), will be relocated as part of the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. OLIVER MARQUEZ / PNA

Duterte remains to be gov’t official with highest approval, trust rating — Pulse Asia BYJOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE LATEST Pulse Asia survey released on Wednesday, July 17, revealed that President Rodrigo Duterte continues to be the government official who

obtained the highest approval and trust ratings.

The survey, done from June 24 to 30, showed that 85 percent of its 1,200 respondents said they approve of the President’s performance, while three percent disap-

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Carpio says no to ‘defeatist attitude,’ gives Duterte nonwar points to win vs China in WPS

21 Waving the Filipino Flag at a French-Speaking Territory on a 121st year of Freedom

❱❱ PAGE 12 Duterte remains

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❱❱ PAGE 22

Trump digs in on racist tweets: ‘Many people agree with me’

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JULY 19, 2019

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FRIDAY

Philippine News

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

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DOH declares Manila mayor asks gov’t national dengue alert doctors to care for indigents

BY MA. TERESA MONTEMAYOR Philippine News Agency MANILA — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III declared on Monday a national dengue alert due to the rapid increase of dengue cases in several regions of the country.

Duque reported that Region 4-B (Mimaropa), Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao have exceeded the epidemic threshold for dengue.

“Clustering of cases must be identified by the Department of Health (DOH) regional office as a basis for declaring a localized epidemic at the barangay level,” Duque said in a press briefing.

Meanwhile, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Cordillera Administrative Region, are being monitored after exceeding the alert threshold.

According to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, the dengue cases nationwide has reached a cumulative figure of 106,630, which is 85 percent higher compared to the same period last year at 57,564 cases.

Most cases are from Western Visayas — 13,164; Calabarzon – 11,474; Central Visayas – 9,199; Soccsksargen – 9,107; and Northern Mindanao – 8,739 for the period of January to June 29 this year.

“Dengue cases have been observed to peak every three to four years. The last peak occurred in 2016, given this pattern, the DOH expects an increase in cases this year,” Duque said.

Even though dengue is a viral disease which can’t be cured through antibiotics and vaccines, Duque stressed that early detection and proper case management can prevent deaths due to it.

“Effective surveillance can also help in reducing cases and deaths if areas with clustering of cases are identified early. Signs and symptoms of disease are severe headache, pain behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes,” he said.

Duque reiterated that the 4S strategy remains the most effective way to prevent dengue cases and deaths. This includes: Search and destroy mosquito breeding places; Self-protective measures like wearing long sleeves and use of insect repellent; Seek early consultation on the first signs and symptoms of the disease; and Say yes to fogging if there is an impending outbreak.

In coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), through Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad of the Office of Civil Defense, code blue alert is activated.

The DOH as lead agency, will be convening the NDRRMC Health Cluster. ■

BY MA. TERESA MONTEMAYOR Philippine News Agency MANILA — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Tuesday appealed to public health service professionals to be caring and understanding when dealing with sick patients especially the poor.

In a press briefing after the launch of school-based immunization program at the Ramon Magsaysay High School, Domagoso said the improvement in the city’s public health service is not only about having better facilities but also having health care providers with a good attitude.

“Totoo nakakapagod maging doktor, maging nars, pero (It’s true that it’s tiring to be a doctor, to be a nurse, but) if a person is in pain, he will not understand that you’re tired and you’re also human,” he said.

“This is public service, kaya tayo nandito dahil mas malawak ang pang-unawa natin sa nangagailangan ng serbsyo natin. Pakisuyo naman, tayong malusog, panatag ang buhay at medyo nakakaluwag tayo siguro dapat ang may pasensiya (we’re here because we are more understanding of those who need our service. Please, we who are healthy and who have conve-

ISKO MORENO DOMAGOSO / FACEBOOK

nient lives must be more patient),” he added.

Domagoso also called on the attention of the administrators of major public hospitals in the city to be available to serve the public.

“I won’t allow that the director, the assistant director, chief of clinic, in a major public hospital to take leave all at the same time. Hindi ko ipinagdadamot ang karapatan ng empleyado (I’m not saying employees are not) to take a leave but please discuss it first among yourselves,” he said.

Citing that the scenario has happened before, Domagoso said it will never happen under

his governance.

“I will discuss the law with the Civil Service (Commission).

I won’t allow it. I will really fire them if it happens,” he said.

Domagoso also disclosed that he goes around the public hospitals in Manila at dusk to check on the delivery of the public health services to the residents needing them.

“Why? To see how you do it in the wee hours, so I will learn and ask health care professionals for the right thing to do, to address health system problems. Patuloy yang mangyayari at hindi ningas kugon lang (This [monitoring] will be done regularly),” he said. ■

Law creating Office for Social Welfare Attaché for OFWs signed

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law creating the Office for Social Welfare Attache for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Duterte signed the law on April 17, 2019 but a copy of which was given to media on Monday (July 15).

Under the law, “the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) shall deploy Social Welfare Attaches in countries with large concenwww.canadianinquirer.net

tration of OFWs as determined in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).”

“The Social Welfare Attache shall possess the minimum qualifications set by the Civil Service Commission and the preferred qualifications prescribed by the DSWD,” it added.

The Social Welfare Attache should also have functions and duties such as managing cases of OFWs and other overseas Filipinos in distress needing

psychosocial services.

It will also undertake surveys and prepare official social welfare situationers on OFWs in the area of assignment, and establish a network with overseas-based social welfare agencies.

Moreover, the official should also respond to and monitor the resolution of problems and complaints or queries of OFWs and their families; establish and maintain a data bank and documentation of OFWs and their families; submit regular reports to the DSWD and DFA home office among others. ■

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Philippine News

JULY 19, 2019

FRIDAY

It won’t be a ‘surprise’ if PH withdraws from UNHRC, Sotto says

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer IF THE Philippines withdraws from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) after it adopted a resolution seeking an investigation into the human rights situation into the country, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said it won’t be a surprise for him.

In an interview with reporters on Monday, July 15, Sotto said the country might also do what the United States (US) did in 2018.

“They have dismembered themselves from the UNHRC and the reason they gave is that it is hypocritical and selfserving group and it’s making a mockery of human rights.

That’s the exact wordings of the United States,” the senator said.

“So I will not be surprised if [Foreign Affairs] Sec. [Teodoro] Locsin, [Jr.] will follow suit considering the way they were, all of a sudden, handling the resolu-

tion from Iceland,” he added.

Sotto slammed the UNHRC for adopting the resolution although it ‘did not get’ the majority of the members present in the quorum and that they should “review their rules because the rules that they are following is illogical.”

“Eighteen lang ‘yung nag-approve (Only 18 had approved).

Thirty (sic) disapproved. Why? An abstention is a no. Everybody in the parliament knows that – you did not agree,” the Senate leader said.

Last week, 18 of the 47 council members favored the resolution that Iceland proposed, while 14 were against it and 15 abstained from voting.

“It’s illogical. I will not be surprised and I will be supportive of any decision that Sec. Locsin will arrive at,” he added.

The senator also said should the Philippines decide to withdraw, then the government would be able to save money.

“It’s up to the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) be-

Senate Pres. Vicente Sotto III.

cause last year we paid the UN $8.2 million mandatory contribution. We will be saving the country P445 million a year if we detached ourselves from the UN,” Sotto noted.

Several media reports said Locsin hinted at the Philippines’ possible withdrawal from the UNHRC after he tweeted over the weekend, “No

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AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

embassy in Iceland. Nor does Iceland have an embassy here.

Iceland took the place of the US after it withdrew from the Human Rights Council. I think we need to follow America more.”

The country’s top diplomat, however, clarified on Monday that Manila won’t cut ties with the international body. “[The] UNHRC vote is a small

and harmless matter; we’re staying in UNHRC as a pedagogical duty to teach Europeans moral manners,” Locsin said in a tweet.

“We’re NOT severing diplomatic relations with any country. If we did, where’s the conversation? How do you insult those who insulted us if you cut them off?” he continued. ■

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FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

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Philippine News

JULY 19, 2019

FRIDAY

Palace on Leni’s impeachment: ‘We have better things to do’

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — Malacañang on Monday said it had better things to do than pursue an impeachment complaint against Vice President Leni Robredo for supporting the United Nations (UN) resolution seeking to look into the country’s human rights violations.

“But you know, we have better things to do. There are so many problems in this country. I will leave it to those who would want to initiate whatever they want to initiate against whomsoever,” Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Earlier, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner lawyer Manuelito Luna said Robredo could be impeached for endorsing the UN resolution describing it as a betrayal of public trust.

Instead of directly answering whether the Palace supported Luna’s statement, Panelo raised the question of whether Robredo’s “ignorance” is a betrayal of public trust.

“Is ignorance a betrayal of the public

trust? That is my response. If gross ignorance is the ground for impeachment; is that a ground under the Constitution?”

Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo also noted that Palace will allow the advocates of Robredo’s impeachment to do what they wanted.

“Draw your conclusion. That is my response. But I will let the advocate pursue that line,” Panelo said.

“There are as many opinions as there are lawyers. The impeachment court will be the ultimate decider of that legal issue,” he added.

Luna said although he has no intention of filing an impeachment complaint against Robredo, it should serve as a warning for her to “temper” her statements.

Robredo reportedly said the government should welcome the resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) seeking to investigate human rights violations in the Philippines in relation to the administration’s drug war.

Out of the UN body’s 47 members, 18 countries supported Iceland’s proposal, 14 countries including the Philippines voted against it, while the remaining 15 abstained. ■

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES / FACEBOOK

Duterte signs law strengthening PH National Museum

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill renaming the “National Museum” to “National Museum of the Philippines” and strengthening its duties and functions.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11333 or National Museum of the Philippines Act on April 26, 2019 but a copy of the document was given to reporters on Tuesday (July 16).

In Filipino, it will now be known as the “Pambansang Museum ng Pilipinas” which shall serve as the primary institution of the government “for management and development of museums and collections of national scope or significance in the areas of arts, cultural, heritage, and natural history.”

According to the new law, the National Museum will be a permanent institution in the service of the entire national community and not intended for profit.

As a trust of the government, the National Museum will continue to be classified as a national government agency but considered as higher in level than a bureau of bureau-level agency but beneath that of a department or department-level agency.

It should also enjoy such privileges and special rules characteristic of both a government-owned or controlled corporation and a state university or college whenever possible.

The law also provides that the former Congress or Legislative Building, together with the former Department of Finance Building, and former Depart-

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ment of Tourism, originally Agriculture and Commerce Building on the present Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park in the City of Manila will be the permanent and exclusive site of the National Museum and will form the core of the National Museum Complex.

Central museums of the National Museum include the existing National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, and the National Planetarium.

Meanwhile, the National Museum shall maintain its existing regional, area, and site museums and satellite offices.

The National Museum will also be tasked to preserve the former Session Halls of the House of Representatives and the Senate in the former Legislative building as a tribute to the legacy of the great men and women of the Philippine legislature.

As part of Rizal Park in Manila, the National Museum Complex will also be dedicated to the life, work, martyrdom, and memory of Dr. Jose Rizal.

The law also stated that the National Museum must formulate a Master Plan and enter into appropriate public-private partnerships concerning property development and management to further the implementation of its Master Plan.

Free admission will also be granted to the public in all public museums and national shrines and landmarks.

In signing the law, Duterte recognizes the policy of the state “to pursue and support the cultural development of the Filipino people through the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of Filipino national culture.” ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

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Carpio says no to ‘defeatist attitude,’ gives Duterte non-war points to win vs China in WPS

BY BEA KIRSTEIN T. MANALAYSAY Philippine Canadian Inquirer SUPREME COURT (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that the country should not “adopt a defeatist attitude” as he accepted the challenge of the President to come up with a “formula” to underscore the Philippines’ rights against China with regards to the dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a speech before the graduates of Ateneo Law School, Carpio emphasized that “We cannot just decry the absence of an enforcement mechanism under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea).”

“We cannot adopt a defeatist attitude and just sit idly by and let China seize what international law has declared to be our own exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” he continued.

The Philippines contended China before the UNCLOS for its sovereign rights to its 200-nautical-mile EEZ and won the case on July 12, 2016, which celebrated its third year on Friday. While the tribunal has sided in favor of the Philippines and said that China has no “historic claim” based on its nine-dash line doctrine, the latter still rejected the ruling.

Carpio emphasized in his speech that the war as the only option in going against China is a “false option” and that the Filipinos should reject this idea.

“This position repeatedly re-

iterated by the present administration makes the Filipino people feel helpless and hopeless, makes our armed forces appear timid and useless, and denigrates the rule of law,” he said.

After many critics lambasted President Rodrigo Roa Duterte over several issues surrounding the disputed waters, the President had dared Carpio in late June to ‘give him the formula.’

“What do you think if we exchange blows there? Look at Vietnam, they attack the coast guard of China. They got a bloody nose. ’Yan ang gawin ko (Should I do that?),” Duterte said.

He added that he is only protecting the “interest” of the country which is the lives of the Filipinos. He also said that he does not want Filipino soldiers to fight a losing battle.

Duterte then directed his statement to Carpio, saying, “Ngayon sabi ko, turuan ninyo ako paano na. Sinagot na ako ni Xi Jinping noon, there will be trouble. Kaya sagutin mo muna ako Justice, give me the formula at gagawin ko (Now, I say, teach me how. Xi Jinping already told me that there will be trouble.

So answer me first, Justice, give me the formula and I will do it.)”

To this, Carpio responded, “Yes, Mr. President, there is a formula – and not only one but many ways of enforcing the arbitral award without going to war with China using only the rule of law.”

Carpio said that he hopes the Chief Executive keeps his

SC Senior Associated Justice Antonio Carpio.

CSIS _ CENTER FOR STRATEGIC / INTERNATIONAL STUDIES _FLICKR ,CC BY-NC-SA

promise to implement the ones that he mentioned.

The following are the SC’s magistrate’s options: The Philippines together with other claimants like Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei can enter into a Convention.

“This Convention will leave China isolated as the only disputant state claiming Exclusive Economic Zones from the Spratly islands,” Carpio explained.

He added that this Convention can declare that “as ruled by the arbitral tribunal, no

geologic feature in the Spratlys generates an Exclusive Economic Zone and there are only territorial seas from the geologic features that are above water at high-tide.”

The Philippines can file an extended continental shelf claim in the WPS beyond the 200-nautical EEZ of the coast of Luzon.

“China cannot invoke historic rights under its nine-dashed line which has already been ruled without legal effect by the arbitral tribunal,” Carpio said.

The Philippines can patrol the WPS with the new 44-me-

ter multi-role response vessels donated by Japan for the use of the Philippine Coast Guard.

He elaborated that these 10 vessels can help in asserting “our sovereign rights over this resource-rich maritime area in accordance with UNCLOS.” The Philippines can tap Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei to conduct joint freedom of navigation operations in their respective EEZs. The Philippines can encourage the Freedom of Navigation and Overflight of naval powers like the United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Japan, India, and Canada in Philippine waters.

Carpio said that these mentioned powers are inclined to customary international rules as well as UNCLOS rules that makes them great enforcers of the arbitral Award.

The Philippines can support the private sector’s efforts in enforcing the arbitral Award.

He referred to the case filed by former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and their counsel Atty.

Anne Marie Corominas as the “most creative and dramatic” of these efforts. The said case was filed before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and it accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of crimes against humanity over the environmental damage in the WPS. “These should be undertaken together to fortify the Award part by part, brick by brick, until the Award is fully enforced,” Carpio said. ■

Law establishing community-based monitoring system inked

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law an act establishing a community-based monitoring system (CBMS) as part of the government’s effort to lift Filipinos out of poverty.

Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11315 on April 17, 2019 but a copy of the document was given

to reporters only on Tuesday (July 16).

Under the law, a CBMS refers to “an organized technologybased system of collecting, processing, and validating necessary disaggregated data that monitoring at the local level while empowering communities to participate in the process.”

“This system merges the methodologies used in data collection activities of all national agencies, geo-tagging, and the

CBMS implemented by local government units (LGUs),” the law read.

“It entails a census of households undertaken by the LGUs with the participation of the community using accelerated poverty profiling system in the data collection, processing, mapping and analysis data,” it added.

Every city and municipality should conduct regular and synchronized data collection www.canadianinquirer.net

every three years.

The lead agency in the implementation of the CBMS will be the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the law stated.

The PSA will be asked to submit an annual accomplishment report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives containing collective poverty statistics generated by the CBMS. The Department of Information and Communications

Technology is tasked to develop institutional arrangements on data-sharing and the Department of the Interior and Local Government is assigned to regularly disseminate information relating to activities to the CBMS. Meanwhile, citizens participating in the data collection must be fully informed of the nature and extent of processing intended for his or her personal data. ■

Philippine News

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JULY 19, 2019

FRIDAY Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

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Member

Gov’t open to cutting ties with Iceland: Panelo

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — The government is open to cutting ties with Iceland, a Palace official said Monday after the Nordic Island-country sponsored a resolution approved by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to look into the human rights violations in the Philippines Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark after Senator Imee Marcos urged the government to cut ties with Iceland, stressing that other countries cannot presume to know better on how to enforce the Philippines’ own laws.

“Pag ang isang bansa ay nagpapahayag ng mga posisyon na makakasira sa ating kasarinlan o sovereignty, kailangan talagang putulin natin ang relasyon natin sa kanila (If a country is making statements that may damage our sovereignty, there is a need to cut ties with them),” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo, however, clarified that this was only his own opinion on the matter and he would leave the final decision to President Rodrigo Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. “Hayaan natin ang Pangulo ng bansa na magbigay ng pang-tapos na posisyon dito sapagkat (Let us leave it to the President to make the final position on the matter because) he is the chief architect of foreign policy in our country,” said Panelo who is also Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

“They (Locsin and Duterte) will have to factor in every circumstance that could lead to the cutting of ties,” he added.

Panelo said although cutting ties with Iceland would barely affect Filipino

workers there, the government will consider all factors in deciding whether or not to proceed with the proposal.

“How will it affect us? Ano bang relasyon natin sa (What relation do we have with) Iceland in the first place? Ni wala tayong embassy doon e. Wala rin sila dito e (We don’t have an embassy there. They don’t have an embassy here either),” Panelo said.

“Gaano ba karami (How many Filipinos are working and living there)? All of that are taken into consideration. What is the best interest of the country, we will pursue,” he added.

Not a UN vote

Asked if government should also consider cutting ties with the 18 UN-member countries who supported Iceland’s proposal, Panelo said it is worth taking a “serious look” in the Philippines’ relationship with them.

“Maybe we should take a serious look in our relationship with them. For all we know, they may be the ones taking a second look given the brouhaha that brought about this vote,” Panelo said.

Panelo said he does not consider the resolution a UN resolution since there was no “simple majority” in the voting results.

Out of the UN body’s 47 members, 18 countries supported Iceland’s proposal, 14 countries including the Philippines voted against it, while the remaining 15 abstained.

“There was no simple majority here.

It’s in fact an overwhelming rejection because only 18 votes as against gets 14 votes denying the resolution and 15 of them did not register a yes vote which means these 15 are not inclined to make a definite stand in relation to that resolution,” Panelo said.

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“Ibig sabihin (It means), it’s not a UN vote,” he added.

Ask, don’t prejudge

Panelo said if the UN body is really serious in looking into the country’s campaign against illegal drugs, they should have first written a formal communication or inquiry asking for government data.

“Pero hindi nila ginagawa ‘yon. Hinayaan nilang makinig sa mga kasinungalingang nakakarating sa kanila sa mga walang batayang pahayag ng mga kalaban ng administration (But they didn’t do that. They allowed themselves to listen to the baseless lies made by enemies of this administration),” he added.

He emphasized that the Duterte administration is the only administration that has always responded to formal communications sent to their offices.

“Lahat ng nangyayari diyan sa digmaan laban sa droga ay nakatala, recorded lahat yan e (Everything happening in the war on drugs is recorded). All they have to do is to ask us, not to prejudge us,” Panelo said.

“They have to believe what this government tells them because this government doesn’t lie. It behooves them to render respect to a sovereign state,” he added.

Despite willingness to provide the UN body with answers, Panelo said it is still “discretionary” on the part of a sovereign government to respond or not to any question relative to anything concerning state affairs.

“If we feel that the question is legitimate, we will respond but if the question is only designed to fish information that it will use by the inquiring country to embarrass this government, certainly, we will not oblige,” Panelo said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

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LA county Fil-Am PH Innovation Law to help exec vows to share attain inclusive growth: solon IP leaders’ stories

BY GIGIE ARCILLA Philippine News Agency LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – A Filipino American (Fil-Am) Cerritos City official admitted he was moved by the stories of indigenous peoples’ (IPs) leaders and vowed to share them after meeting with him at the City Hall here on July 15.

“As a Filipino American who is very proud of my heritage, it is important that I hear their stories like these,” said Council member Mark E. Pulido, referring to the eight IP leaders who met with him at the Cerritos City Hall to share the latter’s narrative of struggle and deception against the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) back in their tribal communities in the Philippines.

Pulido, who is former twoterm mayor of an affluent suburban city in Los Angeles County, California, United States in 2014 and 2018, said he always had a natural interest and curiosity about things happening in the Philippines.

“But growing up in America, we are not offered a lot of information and one would have to seek them out,” he added.

He said he takes pride in being a son of a Filipino mother and father and feels equally the same of the Fil-Am community in Cerritos City for being a dynamic model of what can happen when they unite to support each other socially, economically, and politically.

“I care deeply about my Filipino identity and I don’t wish the Philippines to be in this type of turmoil. Since as a young child, even younger than my daughter is now, I was raised with the turmoil that my parents felt in their stories, from the war and then ongoing the immigration experience and then the accounting of the things that happened in the Southern Philippines,” said Pulido, who is the first Fil-Am mayor of Cerritos City.

He said he was made aware as a young child of what the IPs are really experiencing.

Data shows Filipinos make up a large percentage of the city’s majority Asian community, with a population of around 7,223.

Pulido vowed to share the IP leaders stories with the rest of the Fil-Am community, which he said is more than 50 years old and have fully realized the promise of political empowerment, and civic engagement.

“I am aware of the CPP and their efforts in the United States hence, it is important to get their stories out also,” he said.

“So I think it is a matter of shedding light on the truth. I think it is important to educate people.”

The eight IP leaders from different tribes in Mindanao are on a speaking tour across the US to stand up the abuses and atrocities committed against their communities by the CPP-NPA, a terrorist-listed organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

“It is illuminating to hear from the speakers of the delegation and I encourage them to reach out to US Congressional and Community leaders. I think this is a good start,” added Pulido, who is also Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Alan Lowenthal.

He said he is particularly sensitive when he hears about injustices within his own community and around the world.

“I value freedom and justice so I appreciate that you come here and shared this information with me. I’m glad that you reached out to me as a public official. I encourage you to do so where you can as obviously, your adversaries are doing also,” he added.

Given the US-Philippine relations that is so long and deep, Pulido said he looks forward to more exchanges as he pledged support as a representative of a very diverse Filipino community.

Pulido, whose maternal roots are in Davao City, expressed hopes that there will come a time when the Philippines will enjoy what he does, too in a small little place that he now calls his home. ■

BY FILANE MIKEE CERVANTES Philippine News Agency

MANILA — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for signing a landmark law that would put innovation at the center of the country’s national development policies and making innovation a major driver of economic development.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Philippine Innovation Act (Republic Act 11293), which aims to establish a resilient national culture of innovation that will boost the productivity of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on April 17. A copy of the law was only released to the media on Tuesday.

“The Philippine Innovation Act was inspired by our vision to put innovation at the center of the country’s national development policies and make innovation a major driver of economic development that will build the foundation of a more inclusive future. We thank President Rodrigo Duterte for finally turning this vision into a reality after signing this land-

SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN / FACEBOOK

mark bill into law,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

Gatchalian said the Philippine Innovation Act will develop a National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document that will deepen and accelerate inclusive innovation programs that target the poorest of the poor.

He added that a National Innovation Fund would be created to “support every Juan de la Cruz with innovative ideas that will benefit the poorest of the poor.”

An amount of PHP1 billion was allocated for the first-year implementation of the new law.

“This law aims to harness

innovation efforts to help the poor and the marginalized as well as enable MSMEs to be a part of the domestic and global supply chain,” he said.

“With the implementation of this law, I look forward to a thriving and growth-fueling national innovation system, which will cure our highly fragmented innovation governance system,” he added.

The law provides for the creation of a National Innovation Council (NIC), chaired by the President, to develop the country’s innovation goals, priorities, and long-term national strategy. ■

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Philippine News

JULY 19, 2019

FRIDAY

Iceland may have PH only dangerous for been fed with criminals, corrupt: Palace wrong info: Palace

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — Iceland may have been fed with wrong information, which convinced its government to sponsor a resolution before the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and seek a probe into the Philippines’ human rights situation, in relation to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he and President Rodrigo Duterte are both wondering why Iceland is making that anti-drug war posturing.

“He (Duterte) can’t even understand why Iceland is making that posturing. He has been— that Iceland has been doing that I think twice, last year,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday.

“Until now, he is in wonderment why Iceland is doing that.

He can only speculate… or the two of us can only speculate that maybe some activists either from this country or elsewhere are feeding Iceland with the wrong information,” he added.

Panelo did not elaborate which activists he was referring to but criticized Iceland for being “naive to accept everything that it hears or receives.”

Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde raised the possibility that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), may have played a role in the UNHRC’s adoption of the Iceland-led resolution.

Panelo agreed that it may be

part of the CPP-NPA’s program but noted that the government will not bother investigating whether there is truth to the group’s involvement in the UNHRC resolution.

“Alam mo kone-konektado iyon. Alam mo ngayon ang mga organization, maraming links eh (You know, they’re all connected. You know, organizations now have many links). So, maybe that’s part of their program,” Panelo said.

“Pinapabayaan na nga namin, ‘di ba? Hayaan mo na sila (We’re just letting them do what they want, right. We will just ignore them), we’ll just do our best,” he added.

No impact on trade, investments

Panelo downplayed the impact brought by Duterte’s consideration to cut diplomatic ties with Iceland, noting that it would not have an impact on their trade relations.

“We’ve been having trade relations with other countries so I don’t think cutting a relationship with one country would affect us,” Panelo said.

He also does not see any effect of the cutting of ties between two countries on the development of the geothermal power project in Biliran, Leyte, where Iceland’s Orka Energy is a part of.

“I don’t think even if you cut ties with a particular country, if it benefits that country to be entering into a commercial agreement with one who cuts its ties, I don’t think they will sever that relationship. It’s only the diplomatic relations,” Panelo said. ❱❱ PAGE 12 Iceland may

MANILA — The Philippines is only a dangerous place for criminals and the corrupt, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo made this comment after a US-based group ranked the Philippines as the fourth most dangerous country for civilians due to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

“I agree. Mapanganib ang bansa sa mga kriminal, sa mga korupt, sa mga kasama sa sindikato ng droga. Talagang mapanganib (The country is dangerous for criminals, for corrupt, for drug syndicates. It’s really dangerous,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“Kasi hindi naman hihinto ang ating mga law enforcement (because our law enforcement will not stop) against criminals and drug lords, pushers who are destroying the fabric of our society,” he added.

In an analysis, dated July 3, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) claimed that “President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs has driven this violence, with alleged drug suspects accounting for almost 75 percent of this year’s civilian deaths.”

On its website, ACLED, is known as the “highest quality, most widely used, real time data and analysis source on political violence and protest in the developing world.”

Panelo, meanwhile, criticized how the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) would cite the 27,000 deaths filed by the police as “homicides under investigation” when reporting on the administration’s

www.canadianinquirer.net

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

drug war.

Data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) showed that there are only over 5,375 drug personalities who died in anti-drug operations.

“Ang sinasabi kasi nila, yung mga civilians. Ang nakakatawa, ang figure ng PNP 5,000 plus.

Official record ’yun e. Sabi nila 27,000, e sinabi nila lahat dun yung homicide cases e (They’re saying, civilians. What’s funny is the figure of the PNP is 5,000 plus. That’s the official record.

But they’re mentioning the 27,000 homicide cases),” Panelo said.

Panelo explained that homicide cases included deaths from accidents, reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, business rivalry, crimes of passion or politics among others.

Moreover, he pointed out that these groups also failed to see there are also thousands of police personnel killed and injured in the drug war.

“The fact that there are casualities, ibig sabihin talagang lumalaban (means they’re really fighting back). You should consider na pag involved ka sa drugs, talagang iba ang tingin mo sa tao (that when someone

YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

is really involved in drugs, they see people in a different way),” Panelo said.

Panelo, however, said it is still “discretionary” on the part of the government to respond or not to formal inquiries concerning state affairs.

“If we feel that the question is legitimate, we will respond but if the question is only designed to fish information that it will use by the inquiring country to embarrass this government, certainly, we will not oblige,” Panelo said.

He also maintained that data provided by the PNP, tagged as #RealNumbersPH should be believed and not exaggerated international figures.

“When the PNP says that is the figure then that is the recorded figure and everyone should believe that because PNP is not in the business of lying. It is in the business of securing peace and order in this country,” Panelo said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

11

Philippine leader signs law punishing sexual harassment

BY JIM GOMEZ The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine president has signed a bill into law penalizing a range of acts of sexual harassment including catcalling, wolf-whistling and persistent telling of sexual jokes, which pro-women’s groups have accused him of committing.

Philippine officials released on Monday a copy of Republic Act 11313, known as the “Safe Spaces Act,” which Duterte signed in April. The reason for the delay in its public release was not immediately clear.

The bill’s main author, opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros, has called the law a “massive victory” against a growing culture of rude sexist actions.

“This is a big victory and a major push back against the growing ‘rude culture’ in our streets and communities,” Hontiveros said. “With this law, we will reclaim our streets from sexual harassers and gender bigots and make public spaces safe for all.”

The law defines a range of offensive acts, including catcalling, wolf-whistling, intrusive gazing, cursing, misogynistic acts, sexist slurs and persistent telling of sexual jokes in public, including in streets, workplaces, vehicles, schools, recreational areas, bars or online.

Other offences include stalking, exposing “private parts, groping or any advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened one’s sense of personal space and physical safety.”

Restaurants, bars, cinemas and other places of recreation are required to install clearly visible warning signs against would-be violators, including a hotline number to allow rapid reporting of offences, and to designate an officer to receive complaints or apprehend perpetrators.

“It is the policy of the state to value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights,” the law says.

Punishments include fines and imprisonment depending on the gravity of the offence.

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

Foreign violators would be deported after serving a jail term and paying fines.

Duterte, 74, a longtime mayor before winning the presidency in 2016, has been known for speeches laden with expletives and sexual jokes. Activists have repeatedly accused him of sexism and misogyny but supporters have defended him by saying he has introduced regulations to protect and uphold women’s rights.

ACE MORANDANTE / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Last year, Duterte came under fire for publicly ordering troops to shoot female communist guerrillas in the vagina to render them “useless.” A left-wing human rights group, Karapatan, reacted by saying that Duterte had distinguished himself “as a frothing-in-themouth fascist who incites the worst violations of international humanitarian law.”

Duterte was also criticized for kissing a married woman on

the lips in front of a large Filipino audience in South Korea last year. When Duterte asked if she could explain to her husband that the action would be just a joke, she said yes, and the president leaned in and kissed her as the audience erupted in cheers.

“President Duterte acted like a feudal king who thinks that being the president is an entitlement to do anything that he pleases,” Hontiveros said then. ■

Diplomatic talks still ‘best’ option to resolve WPS dispute

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte has considered all nonwar options to resolve the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute and the “best” option is still through diplomatic negotiations.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this reaction to several non-war options proposed by Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to enforce the 2016 arbitral ruling that nullified China’s ninedash line map that nearly covers the entire WPS or South China Sea. “Basta sa ngayon, ang Presidente, ang option niya ay iyong pinakamahusay (For now, the President, his option is the best option) and that is negotiation,

diplomatic negotiations,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“Ang Presidente, pinag-aralan na lahat iyan. At pinili niya ang pinakamatalino, pinakahindi mapanganib na solusyon (The President studied all the options. And he chose the smartest, least dangerous solution),” he added.

According to Panelo, Duterte, a lawyer, has been studying these options even before he was elected as President.

“Hindi pa siya Presidente, napag-aralan niya na iyan. Dahil alam mo, kapag tatakbo kang presidente, dapat alam mo na lahat ng gagawin mo (Even before he was President, he already studied all options. Because when you run as President, you should already know everything you should do),” Panelo said.

He maintained that bilateral negotiations are meant to ensure the safety of the Filipinos.

“Wala nang ibang gaganda roon kasi ang kausap mo roon ay mismo iyong supposed to be na kaaway mo (There’s no better option because this way you’re already talking to your supposed enemy),” he said.

Among Carpio’s suggestions to enforce the arbitral ruling is for the Philippines to encourage the Freedom of Navigation and Overflight Operations of the U.S., U.K., France, Australia, Japan, Indian, and Canada in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea; and send on patrol its 10 new 44-meter multi-role response vessels donated by Japan for the use of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Panelo, however, said the government has and continues to consider these as options.

“Eh dati naman nating ginagawa iyon eh, dati nga tayong umiikot doon, di ba may mga Coast Guard nga tayo eh. www.canadianinquirer.net

Pero still the best, iyong negotiation pa rin, iyon pa rin ang number one. Mag-uusap tayo (We have done that before, we have always had patrols there, we have a Coast Guard there.

But the best is through negotiations, it’s still number one),” Panelo said.

Meanwhile, he encouraged critics who insisted on other options to enforce the arbitral ruling to run during the next elections to be able to do what they want.

“Kung ipagpipilitan ng mga kritiko iyong kanilang gusto, eh siguro sa susunod na halalan tumakbo silang presidente para kapag sila na ang naging presidente lahat ng gusto nila ay puwede na nilang gawin (If critics want to force us into doing what they want, perhaps they should join the next elections and run for President so that they can do whatever they want),” Duterte said.

Carpio’s other suggestions to enforce the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s verdict are: • The Philippines may enter into a Convention with Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia declaring that no geologic feature in the Spratly’s generates an Exclusive Economic Zone and there are only territorial seas from geologic features that are above water at high-tide, • The Philippines may file an extended continental shelf claim in the West Philippine Sea beyond the 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone off the coast of Luzon, where China is the only opposite coastal state, • The Philippines may send its own Navy to join the Freedom of Navigation and Overflight Operations to assert that there is an EEZ in the WPS, • The Philippines may support private sector initiatives to enforce the arbitral award. ■

Philippine News

12

JULY 19, 2019

Iceland may...

Duterte remains...

❰❰ 10

❰❰ 1

Panelo also said he does not see the deportation of the 2,000 Filipinos working in Iceland because of the threat to cut ties.

While Panelo earlier confirmed that Duterte is “seriously considering” cutting ties with Iceland, he said that nothing is final yet.

“As I said the words of the President is, ‘I’m seriously considering cutting ties with Iceland.’ In other words, he’s mulling over it. So, let’s see how it develops,” Panelo said.

Chief architect

Panelo,meanwhile, clarified that there was no contradiction as far as Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s tweet that the Philippines is “not” severing diplomatic ties with any country.

“Ang sinasabi niya (He said), ‘we are not severing…,’ eh wala pa naman eh, mulling over pa nga eh (nothing has happened yet, it’s still being mulled over),” Panelo said.

Panelo said Locsin or any

UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL/FACEBOOK

Cabinet member’s words are always subject to change based on pronouncements made by the President.

“Members of the Cabinets words can never be final. They

are all subject to change without prior notice by the Chief Architect and the Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces.

In other words, he is the President,” Panelo said. ■

proved and 11 percent were undecided.

This figure is just two points below the 87 percent rating he obtained in March 2019, according to the pollster.

Duterte’s trust rating also remained unchanged at 85 percent. Only four percent claimed to have small or no trust in Duterte, while the other 11 percent were undecided.

The President’s highest approval rating was recorded in Mindanao, where 91 percent of respondents approve of his performance although it was down by six points from the 97 percent he received in March.

Likewise, the highest number of Filipinos who trust Duterte also came from his bailiwick which is at 91 percent.

The same survey also found that Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo received a 55 percent approval rating and a 52 percent trust rating, while Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III got 77 percent approval rating and 73 percent trust rating.

Meanwhile, Supreme Court

(SC) Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin garnered a 41 percent approval rating and 35 percent trust rating.

Former House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for her part, had a 26 percent approval rating and 22 percent trust rating.

The latest survey, which used face-to-face interviews with its respondents, has an error margin of plus or minus 2.8 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

It was conducted a few weeks after the alleged sinking of a Filipino boat by a Chinese vessel on June 9 in Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea, where 22 Filipino fishermen were left afloat at sea.

Other news that made headlines before and during the survey period are the explosions in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu, the call made by 11 United Nations (UN) human rights experts to conduct an investigation into the human rights situation in the Philippines, as well as the deportation of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario from Hong Kong, among others.

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Philippine News

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

13

NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION AND SETTLEMENT APPROVAL HEARING

Did you experience gender or sexual orientation-based harassment or discrimination while working with the RCMP? On July 5, 2019 the Federal Court (Canada) certified a class action concerning allegations of gender and sexual orientation-based harassment and discrimination of women working or volunteering with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (“RCMP”). The settlement provides for six levels of compensation ranging from $10,000 to $220,000.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. with U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo.

US STATE DEPARTMENT PHOTO BY RON PRZYSUCHA/ PUBLIC DOMAIN

PH not withdrawing from UNHRC: Locsin

BY JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA Philippine News Agency MANILA — The Philippines is not withdrawing its membership from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) over the recently adopted resolution on the country’s human rights situation, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. on Monday clarified. “(The) UNHRC vote is a small and harmless matter; we’re staying in UNHRC as a pedagogical duty to teach Europeans moral manners. We’re not severing diplomatic relations with any country. If we did, where’s the conversation? How do you insult those who insulted us if you cut them off?” Locsin said.

Responding to a headline saying he hinted the country may withdraw from the rights body amid its looming inquiry into the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs on Monday night, he said: “I floated and sunk it in the same statement.”

The top diplomat was referring to an earlier post on his Twitter account when he responded to questions whether the Philippines had a foreign post in Reykjavík and if its envoy had made representation regarding the resolution.

“No embassy in Iceland. Nor does Iceland have an embassy here. Iceland took the place of the US after it withdrew from the Human Rights Council. I think we need to follow America more,” Locsin’s July 13 tweet read.

Although the official scored what he described as the ”ill-fated resolution”

and firmly stated that Manila would not tolerate any form of disrespect, he said the government would retain its UNHRC membership and will continue to work with the body. This, as he cited that the Philippines “must remain true to the cause of human rights.”

Meanwhile, Locsin stated his position that the UN text is not the sum total of the Philippines’ relations with Iceland, the resolution’s proponent.

“I never considered for a second cutting any ties over this small matter,” he said in a tweet, when mistakenly tagged as among those who called for the severing of ties with the European nation.

Talks about breaking off diplomatic relation between Manila and Reykjavík floated upon Senator Imee Marcos’ suggestion, who stressed that other states should not impose on other sovereign countries.

Locsin’s view is shared by French Ambassador Nicolas Galey, who, on Sunday, said the text is “not the alpha and omega” of international relations. France is among the non-Council members that supported the resolution.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, on the other hand, said President Rodrigo R. Duterte is “seriously considering cutting diplomatic relations with Iceland”.

“The adopted Iceland resolution is grotesquely one-sided, outrageously narrow, and maliciously partisan. It reeks of nauseating politics completely devoid of respect for the sovereignty of our country. It is bereft of the gruesome realities of the drug menace in the country,” he said in a statement Monday. ■

Who is Eligible for the Proposed Settlement?

Women who experienced gender or sexual orientation-based harassment or discrimination while working or volunteering with the RCMP during the Class Period (September 16, 1974 to July 5, 2019).* *“Primary Class Members” means current and former living Municipal Employees, Regional District Employees, employees of non-profit organizations, volunteers, Commissionaires, Supernumerary Special Constables, consultants, contractors, public service employees, students, members of integrated policing units and persons from outside agencies and police forces who are female or publicly identify as female and who were supervised or managed by the RCMP or who worked in an RCMP controlled workplace during the Class Period, excluding individuals who are primary class members in Merlo and Davidson v. Her Majesty the Queen, Federal Court Action Number T-1685-16 and class members in Ross, Roy, and Satalic v. Her Majesty the Queen, Federal Court Action Number T-370-17 or Association des membres de la police montée du Québec inc., Gaétan Delisle, Dupuis, Paul, Lachance, Marc v. HMTQ, Quebec Superior Court Number 500-06-000820-163.

The Approval Hearing and Your Rights A motion to approve the settlement is scheduled to be heard on October 17, 2019 at 9:30 am at the Federal Court, Vancouver, BC at 701 West Georgia Street. You may object to the proposed settlement on or before October 1, 2019.

You may opt-out of the proposed settlement on or before September 13, 2019.

For detailed information on how you can participate in the hearing, object to the settlement or opt out of the settlement, visit rcmpsettlement.ca or contact Class Counsel at the below email addresses.

More Information?

For complete details on the proposed settlement, the fees being sought by counsel, opting out and objecting to the settlement, visit rcmpsettlement.ca or contact Class Counsel:

www.canadianinquirer.net

Klein Lawyers LLP www.callkleinlawyers.com wsantos@callkleinlawyers.com Higgerty Law www.higgertylaw.ca info@higgertylaw.ca

14

Canada News Concerns mount over ‘criminalization’ of detained migrants in Canada

BY TERESA WRIGHT The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Canada’s bordersecurity agency will soon require all border-security officers working with detained migrants to wear defensive gear that includes batons, pepper spray and bulletproof vests — a policy that is drawing concern over a perceived “criminalization” of asylum seekers.

A new national policy on uniforms was adopted internally last year after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) began moving what it deems “higher-risk immigration detainees” from provincial jails, where they were being held for security purposes, into one of the agency’s three “immigration holding centres.”

The agency decided all officers working in these centres must be outfitted in protective and defensive equipment to ensure a “common operational approach” especially in light of the newly transferred migrants previously held in jails, according to a briefing note obtained

by The Canadian Press through access-to-information law.

“This will require greater CBSA officer presence in managing detainee populations at the IHCs, including the ability to de-escalate and intervene physically if necessary,” the briefing note says.

“Ensuring that IEOs (inland enforcement officers) wear their defensive equipment will enable officers to protect/defend themselves and others if

necessary in the IHC.” The defensive gear they are to wear includes steel-toed boots, “soft body armour,” a defensive baton, pepper spray and handcuffs. They will not carry firearms.

The changes have sparked concern this will create an environment within immigration detention centres akin to jail conditions and encourage the perception that detained migrants in Canada, including some children, are criminals worthy of punishment.

A group of doctors, lawyers, legal scholars and human rights organizations wrote two letters last year to Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale urging him to cancel the policy — calls they say have been ignored.

“We applaud your efforts to reduce the number of immigration detainees held in provincial jails. But raising security measures in an administrative detention centre to mirror those of a criminal institution defeats the purpose of transferring immigration detainees from jails to IHCs,” says one letter, dated June 22, 2018.

“The proposed policy would arm CBSA officers with some of the same tools as correctional officers in maximum-security facilities … (which) is clearly disproportionate to any potential risk and is not warranted.”

Concerns have also been raised internally by the union that represents the security officers themselves, who are worried about the increased risks of having weapons in the mix if a high-risk situation or confron-

tation does arise.

Anthony Navaneelan, a layer with Legal Aid Ontario who also works with the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, said it’s not every day the border-security union and migrant-advocacy groups agree.

Wearing defensive gear when dealing with refugees is “inappropriate and unnecessary,” Navaneelan said.

He pointed to a 2012 report by the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Francois Crepeau, that said detention of migrants on the grounds of their irregular status should “under no circumstance be of a punitive nature” and should never involve prison-like conditions or environments.

“The idea of getting them out of jails is to recognize the fact that it can re-traumatize refugee claimants to be putting them in detention to begin with when they’ve committed no crime,” Navaneelan said.

“Also in terms of necessity, CBSA hasn’t identified for us any incidents that have happened at the immigration holding centres that would warrant these types of measures. Certainly I’d, at best, call this a proactive measure in anticipation of some future concern … but we certainly think escalating or creating an environment where officers are equipped with these types of measures is almost a solution in search of a problem.”

In a statement, CBSA spokeswoman Rebecca Purdy said the agency’s operating procedures say officers “must” wear the protective and defensive equip-

www.canadianinquirer.net

CANADA BORDER SERVICES AGENCY / FACEBOOK

ment issued to them while on duty.

The decision to equip officers working in migrant detention centres with uniforms and defensive gear was made “to ensure national alignment of CBSA standards for its operations and is consistent with practices implemented domestically and internationally as it relates to detention,” Purdy said.

As for the concerns raised by the lawyers, doctors, humanrights groups and the officers’ union, CBSA “ensured that there is a balance reflected between the safety and security of officers and other detainees,” Purdy added.

Asylum-seekers in Canada can be detained for a number of reasons, including if CBSA officers have reason to believe they would be deemed inadmissible on grounds of security, criminality or records of violating human or international rights themselves.

A migrant also can be detained simply if a CBSA officer believes the person might be a no-show for his or her refugeedetermination hearing. The vast

majority of migrants detained

by Canada are held for this reason, according to government statistics posted online. Last year, 81 per cent of detained migrants were held because they were deemed unlikely to appear for their hearings, including 40 children, most of whom were travelling with adults.

Janet Dench, executive director of the Canadian Council for Refugees, said her organization was assured that migrants detained for administrative reasons such as this would be separated from those suspected of criminality when held in Canadian detention centres.

She questioned why CBSA officers will be required to wear defensive gear in all areas of these centres, rather than only in wings where migrants suspected of being security or criminal threats are being held.

She also echoed concerns that wearing this gear is akin to treating refugees like criminals “The CBSA should very much reduce the criminalization of those people who are detained,” Dench said. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

15

Garneau ‘disappointed’ in airlines’ move against new passenger bill of rights

BY CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS The Canadian Press MONTREAL — Transport Minister Marc Garneau said he was “surprised” and “disappointed” by legal action from Canadian airlines to quash new rules to beef up compensation for passengers subjected to delayed flights and damaged luggage.

“We feel that we have done our homework very, very carefully in consultation with the airlines and with other stakeholders,” Garneau told reporters Monday, when the first phase of long-promised air travel regulations took effect.

“We feel that the passenger rights that we’ve put in place are going to stand up and that they’re very fair to both passengers and to the airlines.”

Air Canada and Porter Airlines Inc., along with 17 other applicants that include the International Air Transport Association — which counts WestJet Airlines Ltd. among its 290-odd member airlines — state in a court filing that mandatory compensation under the

passenger bill of rights violates international standards and should be rendered invalid.

The June 28 court application argues that the passenger bill of rights contravenes the Montreal Convention, a multilateral treaty, by setting compensation amounts based on the length of the flight delay and “irrespective of the actual damage suffered.”

Consumer advocates, however, say the rules do not go far enough, arguing that airlines’ exemption from compensating customers in situations “outside of the airline’s control” uses too broad a definition and amounts to a loophole.

A second batch of rules, set to roll out in December, imposes no obligation on airlines to pay customers for delays or cancellations if they were caused by mechanical problems discovered in a pre-flight check — walking around the aircraft before takeoff looking for defects — rather than during scheduled maintenance — more thorough inspections required after 100 hours cumulatively in the air.

“Airlines understandably cannot be held responsible

for acts of sabotage or medical emergencies, yet there are other circumstances listed as outside of carriers’ control in the air passenger protection regulations that raise serious questions, such as labour disruptions and manufacturing defects in an aircraft,” said advocacy group Flight Claim Canada in a release.

“The list is also non-exhaustive — a gap that airlines will use to their advantage to the detriment of air passengers.”

Garneau insisted terms are clearly defined, and reiterated that delays or cancellations following a pre-flight check do not, in his view, warrant, compensation.

“We believe that we’ve made it very clear what is within the airline’s control and what is not within the airline’s control,” he said.

The new rules align roughly with those in the U.S., but do not match European Union standards that deem most mechanical defects within the airlines’ control.

The first phase of regulations that came into force Monday require prompt updates and

Transport Minister Marc Garneau.

clear communication with passengers about their rights if their flight is delayed or cancelled.

Travellers can receive up to $2,400 if bumped from a flight and up to $2,100 for lost or damaged luggage.

In the event of a tarmac delay, aircraft must return to the gate after three hours. An extra 45 minutes is allowed if takeoff is likely.

During a tarmac delay, Passengers also must have access to washrooms, food and water,

@MARCGARNEAU / TWITTER

heating or cooling, and communication with people outside the plane free of charge, “if feasible,” the Canadian Transportation Agency said.

The issue came to the forefront after a 2017 incident in which two Montreal-bound Air Transat jets were diverted to Ottawa due to bad weather and held on the tarmac for up to six hours, leading some passengers to call 911 for rescue.

Compensation of up to ❱❱ PAGE 19 Garneau ‘disappointed’

Anglican Church rejects same-sex marriage amendment; will not add policy to national laws

BY NICOLE THOMPSON The Canadian Press THE ANGLICAN Church of Canada narrowly voted down a proposal to bless same-sex marriage across the denomination, with its newly elected leader acknowledging the disappointment the decision would bring for many.

Branches of the church in each province will still be able to make up their own minds on same-sex unions, but the motion that failed would have allowed for a definite church-wide acceptance of such marriages.

“The failure of the motion to change the marriage canon will be deeply painful for LGBTQ2+ members of our Church and for those beyond the Church who

looked to this step as a sign of hope and inclusion,” Rev. Linda Nicholls, the first woman chosen to lead the church, wrote in a Facebook post.

Delegates rejected a motion on Friday to add same-sex unions to national church laws at the General Synod — a meeting held every three years to decide issues of policy and doctrine.

To pass, the resolution required “yes” votes from twothirds of each of three orders — lay, clergy and bishops. Eighty per cent of the lay delegates voted to adopt the motion, as did 73 per cent of the clergy. But the bishops were two votes shy of what was needed to enter the proposal into law.

The Church doesn’t prohibit same-sex marriage outright

and in 2016 declared that leadership at the provincial level could decide whether to allow it within their jurisdictions. Friday’s motion, if it had passed, would have formalized the church’s position in its laws.

Nicholls said that when the decision came down, the only sound in the room was the sobbing of a member of the LGBTQ+ youth delegation.

“That sound will resound in the hearts of all those present as a moment not only of personal mourning but of the mourning of a church that was unable to find a way to live with differences despite the best efforts of many people,” she wrote.

In her post, Nicholls wrote that the Huron Diocese in southwestern Ontario, where she was previously bishop, will www.canadianinquirer.net

continue to bless “civil samesex marriage, recognizing the intention to live in fidelity, mutual love and comfort in a lifelong union.”

Other members of the church also expressed their displeasure at the outcome of Friday’s vote.

Toronto Bishop Andrew Asbil wrote on Facebook that he shared the LGBTQ community’s grief over the failed resolution, which he said came in spite of “decades of ongoing discussion, prayer and the courageous sharing of experience from the LGBTQ+ community.”

“I had hoped that our Church was in a different place and would arrive at a different decision,” he wrote. “I assure all of our LGBTQ+ siblings — beloved children of God — of my love and support. I know that it is tempt-

ing in this hour to lose heart.”

Asbil also asked the Anglicans who were relieved by the decision to be gracious in their victory.

The Anglican Church of Canada has been mulling whether to add same-sex marriage to its Marriage Canon for years.

Its leadership requested that a motion to amend the denomination’s position on the issue be prepared in 2013. That resolution, approving same-sex marriages, passed in 2016 but needed a successful second reading at the next synod to be entered into the church’s laws. That second reading failed Friday.

About 1.6 million Canadians identify themselves as Anglican, according to the most recent data from Statistics Canada. ■

16

Canada News

JULY 19, 2019

FRIDAY

Officials flagged 900 food items from China with ‘problems’ over two years

BY ANDY BLATCHFORD The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Canadian inspectors intercepted nearly 900 food products from China over concerns about faulty labels, unmentioned allergens and harmful contaminants that included glass and metal between 2017 and early 2019, according to internal federal records.

The document provides an inside look at imports from China that caught the attention of officials for appearing to fall

short of Canadian standards — from gum balls with “extraneous” metal, to three-minute chow mein that contained an insect, to spicy octopus feet flagged for a “non-specific hazard.”

The list, compiled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, was obtained through access-to-information law.

Its release comes at a time of significant public interest in Canada about cross-border food inspections, especially those involving China.

The scrutiny of agricultural

goods has been central to a diplomatic dispute between Canada and its second-biggest trading partner. Bilateral frictions have intensified since the December arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver and China’s subsequent detention of two Canadians on espionage allegations.

The governing Liberals have come under pressure from rival Conservatives to respond by taking a harder line when it comes to Chinese imports. ❱❱ PAGE 36 Officials flagged

JHVEPHOTO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Canadian astronaut David Saint Jacques enjoying ‘renewed love for life on Earth’

BY MORGAN LOWRIE The Canadian Press LONGUEUIL, QUE. — Canadian astronaut David SaintJacques says returning to normal life after his six-month stint aboard the International Space Station feels anything but mundane.

In his first time back in Canada since landing June 24, Saint-Jacques said Wednesday the mission has given him a renewed sense of love for the “extraordinary, varied, and complicated” details of life on Earth.

“I had the chance to have a very full mission where I accomplished everything I could have dreamed of, so I leave without any regrets,” he said. “I left full of renewed love for life on Earth.”

Saint-Jacques said his three children helped him with the transition by reminding him of all the things he’d missed,

including feeling the wind and tasting fresh fruit.

“It makes you want to live more simply.”

Saint-Jacques was met with thunderous applause as he returned to the Canadian Space Agency headquarters near Montreal.

Space agency staff chanted his name as he returned just a few weeks removed from a 204day mission aboard the station — a Canadian record for longest single space flight.

In a news conference, the 49-year-old astronaut said he’s enjoying spending time with his wife and children, and taking a trip to his parents’ cottage in Quebec as he continues to recover from the effects of space flight.

While Saint-Jacques said he wasn’t having trouble adapting mentally since his June 24 return, physically he is still adjusting to life on Earth. He said space flight affects nearly

every part of the body, from blood circulation to his head to the bottoms of his feet, which had become soft and smooth after months of not bearing his weight.

He said his balance is improving, although he’s still suffering from dizziness and a kind of lightheadedness that he described as “space fog.”

“You lose the sense of gravity (in space), and that completely confuses the brain,” he said.

Thus far, he says he hasn’t experienced any pain or vision problems, and only “normal” bone loss. He said the effects of radiation, which could make him more prone to cancers, will only be known with time.

Saint-Jacques was greeted on Wednesday by Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains, who described him as “a Canadian hero.”

Bains highlighted the importance of the research that SaintJacques conducted in space,

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and its ability to help people on Earth.

Researchers were able to measure his vital signs through a “smart shirt” biomonitor that has implications for long-distance medical care, as well as study the effects of zero gravity, which is similar to what’s experienced by bedridden patients, Bains said.

“Your work not only inspires Canadians, it truly benefits all of humanity,” he said.

Bains also credited SaintJacques with inspiring a new generation to develop a passion for space and science through his stunning photographs of Earth and his conversations with schoolchildren.

As he answered questions from space agency staff and students, Saint-Jacques said he’s still digesting the mission. In the short term, he’s focusing on rehabilitation. In the long term, he plans to return to Houston to renew his lapsed certifica-

tions and resume his career in the space program.

He also gave a presentation in which he showed off personal photos and recounted some of the highlights of his trip, which included becoming the first Canadian astronaut to use the Canadarm2 robotic arm to perform a so-called “cosmic catch” to snag a SpaceX cargo capsule, as well as performing a six-anda-half hour spacewalk.

He described leaving the station in his space suit, “with just my visor between me and space,” as an emotional moment. But rather than feeling small and insignificant, he said, the moment was a reminder of the breadth of human knowledge and the dedication of the team that got him there, both in space and on Earth.

“It was very emotional to be able to be this extension of humanity in this completely hostile place…I didn’t feel alone,” he said. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

17

NATO secretary-general Trudeau names meets Trudeau in Canada Quebec judge Nicholas amid Russia, U.S. Iran tensions Kasirer to Supreme Court of Canada

BY MIKE BLANCHFIELD The Canadian Press PETAWAWA, ONT. — In a visit to an Ottawa Valley military base Monday, NATO’s secretary-general urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to not backtrack on boosting Canada’s defence spending and helping counter shifting threats facing the military alliance.

Jens Stoltenberg said “defence spending is now going up” in Canada and other NATO countries after years of reductions. He praised Canada’s contribution to one NATO mission in Latvia to counter Russian aggression and to another mission training troops in Iraq.

The federal government plans to invest billions of dollars less in new military equipment than promised this year, which has raised concerns about whether the Forces will fall short of broader NATO spending targets.

U.S. President Donald Trump has called NATO an outdated body, saying it was formed to defend the West in the Cold War but it’s now neglected and underfunded by its own members, leaving the United States to assume the burden of supporting it.

“After years of decline, we are now in the fifth consecutive year of rise in defence spending across Europe and Canada, and I encourage you to redouble your efforts,” Stoltenberg said at a press conference with Trudeau during a tour of Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.

“This is about fairness, but more importantly, it is about our security in a more unpredictable world.”

Trudeau said Canada has the will and capacity to make a difference in the world. The prime minister also noted that Canada has deployed three women in commanding roles on NATO missions, which Stoltenberg welcomed.

Trump’s complaints have created an ongoing tension within the military alliance, which is marking its 70th anniversary this year. Comments

BY JIM BRONSKILL The Canadian Press

Great to meet members of the Canadian Armed Forces with PM @ JustinTrudeau today. #Canada plays a key role in preserving international security, including by leading #NATO deployments in Latvia and Iraq, and supporting our partners like Ukraine. @JENSSTOLTENBERG / TWITTER

Trudeau and Stoltenberg made about the international order and multilateral institutions during the joint press conference — held at this base about 160 kilometres west of Ottawa — are routinely used in reference to Trump without actually saying his name.

The tensions in the alliance reflect sharply different outlooks on the world. Trudeau avoided using Trump’s name when he was asked about the president’s Twitter comments about four Democratic congresswomen.

Trump said the four women of colour should go back to the “broken and crime infested” countries that they came from in a series of tweets that Democrats called racist and moved to censure in Congress. Three of the four were born in the United States.

Speaking later at the White House, after Trudeau’s press conference, Trump said that anyone who doesn’t like the United States should simply leave the country.

Asked about the tweets, Trudeau said Canadians and people around the world “know exactly what I think about those particular comments.

“That is not how we do things in Canada. A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian, and the diversity of our country is actually one of our greatest strengths and a source of tremendous resilience and pride for Canadians and we will continue to defend that.”

Canada’s mission in Latvia is one of several in NATO countries that have borders with Russia, part of a show of force to discourage Russian President Vladimir Putin from threatening other countries in Europe’s east.

The increased NATO presence is a result of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, and its fomenting of Kremlin-backed Russian separatists in Ukraine’s eastern regions. Ukraine is not a NATO member.

That may make Canada a target for Russian interference in this fall’s federal election. Stoltenberg said NATO allies share information on cyber threats after seeing multiple attempts to mettle in the democratic process. Trudeau said Canada has had talks with allies in the Baltic states that have faced “significant amounts” of interference to learn what “they’ve done to counter foreign propaganda.”

Canada also leads the NATO training mission for Iraqi forces in that country. There are heightened tensions in that region because of the escalating dispute between the U.S. and neighbouring Iran.

After the visit to CFB Petawawa, Stoltenberg is scheduled to travel to Toronto for a speech and question-and-answer session at the University of Toronto.

The visit started a week of transatlantic diplomacy for Trudeau, who will welcome European Union leaders to a summit in Montreal on Wednesday.■ www.canadianinquirer.net

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has nominated Nicholas Kasirer, a Quebec judge and former professor with a passion for civil law, to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Kasirer has served on the Quebec Court of Appeal for a decade. Fluently bilingual, he spent 20 years as a professor of law at Montreal’s McGill University, including as dean of the law faculty.

Kasirer’s outstanding legal and academic experience will be an asset to the country’s highest court, Trudeau said in a statement.

The nomination fills the vacancy created by the coming retirement of Justice Clement Gascon.

On July 25, the House of Commons justice committee will hold a special hearing, moderated by a law professor, where members will be able to question Kasirer and learn more about why he was chosen.

In his application for the position, made public Wednesday, Kasirer stressed his specialty in Quebec civil law but described himself as a generalist as a judge.

During a decade on the bench, he has written extensively in criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, commercial law, and in cases involving fundamental rights, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, he noted.

The institutional and practical constraints of deciding cases invite caution, if not humility, for the judge contemplating a change of the law, Kasirer wrote.

At the same time, judges must take up their public duty by showing imagination, and indeed some courage, in the pursuit of justice, he added.

“Striking the right balance between these competing calls to caution and to courage is a

central challenge in the exercise of judicial responsibility in a constitutional democracy,” he wrote.

“In my experience, they are not incompatible — there is an immense satisfaction in moving law resolutely forward, but only so far forward as is necessary to solve the problem at hand, leaving the rest for another day.”

Whether signing unanimous reasons or a strong dissent, a Supreme Court judge cannot, despite the independence attached to the role, decide a case on his or her own, Kasirer said.

“Taking into account the points of view of one’s colleagues — and adjusting, if necessary, one’s conception of what constitutes ‘good’ law or a ‘just’ result — requires as much if not more moral courage than signing a dissenting opinion.”

He also emphasized a professional commitment to bilingualism and a personal and family life steeped in Montreal’s cultural complexity.

“I sense that Canadians want judges who are modest of temperament and who, in proposing themselves for public service, see their ‘most significant contribution to the law’ lying ahead of them rather more than as a trophy on an office shelf.”

The nomination was praised

by Independent Sen. Pierre Dalphond, a former judge who met Kasirer at McGill and worked closely with him on the Quebec appeal court.

“I am pleased with this appointment, which brings to the Supreme Court an exceptional legal expert, both in civil and common law, a great listener, who is curious and open-minded, an elegant writing style, an experienced appeal judge, and a man with collegial spirit,” said Dalphond. ■

Canada News

18

JULY 19, 2019

‘Chatgate’ scandal throws Puerto Rico’s governor into crisis

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Nearly two years ago, Hurricane Maria exposed the raw dysfunction of Puerto Rico, collapsing long-neglected infrastructure and leaving several thousand dead on Gov. Ricardo Rossello’s watch. Last week, two of his top former officials were arrested by the FBI on corruption charges.

But the scandal that is threatening to buckle the boyish 40-year-old governor centres on a profanity-laced and at times misogynistic online chat with nine other male members of his administration in which some of the U.S. territory’s most powerful men act like a bunch of teenagers. The leak of at least 889 pages of the private chat has sunk Rossello into the deepest crisis of his career.

In the chats on the encrypted messaging app Telegram, Rossello calls one New York female politician of Puerto Rican background a “whore,” describes another as a “daughter of a bitch” and makes fun of an obese man he posed with in a photo. The chat also contains vulgar references to Puerto Rican star Ricky Martin’s homosexuality and a series of emojis of a raised middle finger directed at a federal control board overseeing the island’s finances.

For many Puerto Ricans still recovering from one of the United States’ worstever disasters, on the back of the island’s biggest public financial collapse, the scandal analysts and ordinary people are calling “Chatgate” or “Rickyleaks” has proven to be too much.

Thousands of protesters marched in the capital for a third day Monday to call for Rossello’s resignation. Police tried to disperse the marchers with pepper spray in front of the Fortaleza governor’s residence, which was protected by barricades.

The leaders of the U.S. territory’s house and senate said they weren’t planning impeachment proceedings, but an influential association of mayors from Rossello’s pro-statehood party said he had lost their support. Puerto Rican artists Benito A. Martinez Ocasio, known Bad Bunny, and Rene Perez, known as Residente, both said on Twitter they planned to return to Puerto Rico to join the protests. Playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose production of “Hamilton” on the island is mentioned in the chats, called them “a very disturbing portrait of how this Administration operates.”

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Even if Rossello survives until election day next year, it seems clear to many observers that he has been profoundly weakened and less able to deal with crises ranging from the island’s bankruptcy proceedings to its continued efforts to receive federal funding to help recovery from Maria.

Late Monday, Rossello released a statement saying he respected the protests and was taking their message into account.

“Unfortunately, despite responsible calls for peaceful demonstrations by many participants, a few others decided to damage public property and assault public officials who tried to preserve order and defend the security and rights of all,” he said.

Chatgate erupted a day after Rossello’s former secretary of education and five other people were arrested on charges of steering federal money to unqualified, politically connected contractors. Starting Thursday, an anonymous person or people with access to the chats leaked dozens of pages of them to two local outlets. On Saturday, Puerto Rico’s Center for Investigative Journalism published 889 pages.

In the chat group were Luis Rivera Marin, Rossello’s secretary of state; Christian Sobrino, who held a series of important economic posts; Carlos Bermudez, a one-time communications aide; Edwin Miranda, a communications consultant; Interior Secretary Ricardo Llerandi; Public Affairs Secretary Anthony Maceira and Elias Sanchez, one-time representative to the board overseeing Puerto Rico’s bankruptcy.

The group mentions then-New York City Council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who had criticized Democratic Party head Tom Perez for opposing Puerto Rican statehood, with Rossello calling her the Spanish word for “whore.”

Referring to Carmen Yulin Cruz, the mayor of San Juan who had announced her intent to run against Rossello in 2020, the governor says, “she’s off her meds.”

“Either that, or she’s a tremendous HP,” he continues, using the Spanish initials for “son/daughter of a bitch.”

Federal officials said Wednesday morning that former Education Secretary Julia Keleher; former Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration head Angela Avila-Marrero; businessmen Fernando Scherrer-Caillet and Alberto Velazquez-Pinol, and education contractors Glenda E. Ponce-Mendoza and ❱❱ PAGE 31 ‘Chatgate’ scandal

World News

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

19

SKorea leader says Tokyo’s trade curbs will hurt Japan more

BY KIM TONG-HYUNG The Associated Press SEOUL, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF — In his strongest comments yet on a growing trade dispute, South Korea’s president urged Japan on Monday to lift recently tightened controls on high-tech exports to South Korea, which he said threaten to shatter the countries’ economic co-operation and could damage Japan more than South Korea.

The dispute between the two U.S. allies has further soured relations already troubled over Japan’s colonial rule of Korea before the end of World War II. President Moon Jae-in accused Japan of abusing its leverage in trade to punish South Korea over their historical dispute. South Korea sees the trade curbs as retaliation for South Korean court rulings earlier this year that ordered Japanese corporations to compensate South Korean victims for forced labour during World War II. South Korea says the strengthened export controls of photoresists and other sensitive materials mainly to manufacture semiconductors and display screens could hurt its export-dependent economy and disrupt global supply chains.

Its government plans to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization and raise the issue at next week’s WTO General Council in Geneva. Trade officials from the countries failed to resolve the dispute in a working-level meeting in Tokyo on Friday.

Moon also said South Korea will use the dispute as an opportunity to reduce its dependence on Japan by strengthening its technology industry and diversifying import sources.

“Japan’s export restrictions have broken the framework of economic cooperation between South Korea and

Japan that had continued over a halfcentury based on mutual dependence,” Moon said in a meeting of senior aides at Seoul’s presidential palace.

“The shattered credibility of co-operation with Japan in the manufacturing industry will inspire our companies to break out of their dependence on Japanese materials, components and equipment and work toward diversifying import sources or localizing the technologies. I warn that, eventually, it will be the Japanese economy that will be damaged more.”

Moon spoke hours after dozens of South Korean small-business owners rallied in Seoul, calling for boycotts of Japanese consumer goods.

The Japanese measures, which went into effect earlier this month, have stoked public anger in South Korea, where many believe Japan still hasn’t fully acknowledged responsibility for atrocities committed during its colonial occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945.

Kim Sung-min, president of the Korea Mart Association, urged shop owners to boycott the distribution of Japanese products until Tokyo apologizes over the trade curbs and withdraws them.

Other demonstrators held up signs that read, “Our supermarket does not sell Japanese products.”

Thousands of South Koreans have signed petitions posted by citizens on the presidential office’s websites that called for boycotts of Japanese products and of travel to Japan and for South Korea to skip next year’s Tokyo Summer Olympics. Retailers have also reported modest drops in the sales of Japanese beer.

“We will continue boycotting the consumption and distribution of Japanese products until Japan’s government and the Abe administration apologizes and withdraws its economic retaliation,”

Pres. Moon Jae-in at a meeting with his senior secretaries on Japan’s export restrictions. @THEBLUEHOUSEENG / TWITTER

Kim said, referring to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tokyo says the materials affected by the export controls can be sent only to trustworthy trading partners. Without presenting specific examples, Tokyo has questioned Seoul’s credibility in controlling the exports of arms and dualuse items that can be used both for civilian and military purposes. Abe and his conservative aides suggested there may have been illegal transfers of sensitive

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Garneau ‘disappointed...’ ❰❰ 15

$1,000 for delays of nine hours or more will take effect in December.

On Monday, Garneau defended the postponement — pushed for by airlines — by pointing to the now four-month grounding of the Boeing 737 Max, after he said as recently as April the regulations would come down simultaneously in July.

“That has affected several airlines in Canada, and we recognize that that has put an additional burden on them in terms of their reservation systems and their operations,” he said.

Garneau told reporters that “complex

materials from South Korea to North Korea.

South Korea says its export controls are working just fine. Last week, its presidential office proposed an investigation by the United Nations Security Council or another international body to look into the export controls of both South Korea and Japan as it continues to reject Japanese claims that the South cannot be trusted to faithfully implement sanctions against North Korea. ■

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software” systems to handle the new passenger compensation rules also necessitated the delay.

Passenger Mary Alice Ernst, en route to Chicago from Montreal with her daughter Monday, said the traveller bill of rights was a breath of fresh air.

“Used to be, back in the day, they were really eager to please you, and provide those extra incidentals — free hotel, things like that. Now they’re not so quick to respond to those needs. They have excuses,” she said of airlines. “We need this.”

As of Monday, airlines must also outline clear rules around carriage of musical instruments. ■

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World News

JULY 19, 2019

FRIDAY

Sudan activists call for ‘justice’ for killed protesters

BY FAY ABUELGASIM AND SAMY MAGDY The Associated Press KHARTOUM, SUDAN — Tens of thousands of Sudanese flooded the streets of the capital of Khartoum and other cities Saturday to mark the 40th day since the deadly dispersal of a protest sit-in, and a protest leader said a planned a meeting with the country’s ruling generals to sign a power-sharing deal was postponed until Sunday.

The “Justice First” marches were called by the Sudanese Professionals’ Association, which has been spearheading the protests since December. Those demonstrations led to the military ouster of autocratic president Omar al-Bashir in April.

The marches mark 40 days since the dispersal of the prodemocracy protesters’ sit-in in outside military headquarters in Khartoum on June 3. Protest organizers say security forces killed at least 128 people during the dispersal and subsequent crackdown. Authorities, however, put the death toll at 61, including three security force

members.

Protesters have called for a “transparent and fair” investigation into the deaths. “The military council should be held accountable (for) the massacre,” said protester Samer Hussein.

Footage and photos posted by the SPA showed thousands of people demonstrating in the capital and its sister city of Omdurman. There were protests in other places, including the Red Sea city of Port Sudan and the eastern province of Kassala.

Protesters were seen waving Sudanese flags and posters that read: “Freedom, Peace and Justice” and “Civilian (authority) is the people’s choice.”

The marches came just over a week after massive demonstrations on June 30, when tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets in the biggest show of numbers in the uprising. At least 11 people were killed in clashes with security forces, according to protest organizers.

Saturday’s marches also put pressure on the ruling military council as it and the Forces for Declaration of Freedom and Change, which represents the protesters, planned to meet to

Some Sudanese protesters by the Sudanese Professionals Association. / FACEBOOK

sign a power-sharing agreement. African Union envoy Mohammed el-Hassan Labat originally said a meeting would take place Saturday night. But Ahmed Rabei, a spokesman for the SPA, said later the protest movement called for the talks to be postponed until Sunday “for more consultations” within the FDFC on the deal.

The state-run SUNA news agency however reported that both sides would meet late Sat-

urday. SUNA quoted a statement by the military council as saying that they would discuss the “constitutional document” with the FDFC in their meeting in a luxury Khartoum hotel.

Labat, the AU envoy, and Mahmoud Dirir, Ethiopia’s envoy, met with the military council. Then Labat told reporters the meeting was postponed to Sunday.

The signing ceremony was expected to take place earlier this week, but several delays

have been announced, raising suspicions the two parties might still be divided over the agreement’s details.

Late on Saturday, the Sudanese Communist party, which is part of the protest movement, said it rejected the power-sharing agreement because it does not include an international investigation into the crackdown and it keeps paramilitary forces in existence.

The party said it would not take part in the sovereign council, the cabinet or the legislative body which would rule Sudan during the transition.

The deal includes a joint Sovereign Council set to rule for a little over three years while elections are organized, along with a constitutional declaration, according to a copy of the deal obtained by The Associated Press. A military leader is to head the 11-member council for the first 21 months, followed by a civilian leader for the next 18.

The deal, which also includes an FDFC-appointed cabinet, was meant to end a weekslong political deadlock between the ❱❱ PAGE 36 Sudan activists

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FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

Trump digs in on racist tweets: ‘Many people agree with me’

BY ZEKE MILLER, JILL COLVIN, AND JONATHAN LEMIRE The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Defiant in the face of widespread criticism, President Donald Trump renewed his belligerent call on Monday for four Democratic congresswomen of colour to get out of the U.S. “right now,” cementing his position as the most willing U.S. leader in generations to stoke the discord that helped send him to the White House.

Content to gamble that a sizeable chunk of the electorate embraces his tweets that have been widely denounced as racist, the president made clear that he has no qualms about exploiting racial divisions once again.

“It doesn’t concern me because many people agree with me,” Trump said at the White House. “A lot of people love it, by the way.”

The episode served notice that Trump is willing to again rely on incendiary rhetoric on issues of race and immigration to preserve his political base in the leadup to the 2020 election.

There was near unanimous condemnation from Democrats for Trump’s comments and a rumble of discontent from a subset of Republicans — but notably not from the party’s congressional leaders.

Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the GOP White House nominee in 2012 and now one of the president’s most vocal GOP critics, said Trump’s comments were “destructive, demeaning, and disunifying.”

Far from backing down, Trump on Monday dug in on comments he had initially made a day earlier on Twitter that if lawmakers “hate our country,” they can go back to their “broken and crime-infested” countries. His remarks were directed at four congresswomen: Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria OcasioCortez of New York, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. All are American citizens and three of the four were born in the U.S. “If you’re not happy in the

U.S., if you’re complaining all the time, you can leave, you can leave right now,” he said.

The president’s words, which evoked the trope of telling black people to go back to Africa, may have been partly meant to widen the divides within the House Democratic caucus, which has been riven by internal debate over how best to oppose his policies. And while Trump’s attacks brought Democrats together in defence of their colleagues, his allies noted he was also having some success in making the controversial progressive lawmakers the face of their party.

The president questioned whether Democrats should “want to wrap” themselves around this group of four people as he recited a list of the quartet’s most controversial statements.

The four themselves fired back late Monday, condemning what they called “xenophobic bigoted remarks” from the president and renewing calls for their party to begin impeachment proceedings.

Trump “does not know how to defend his policies and so what he does is attack us personally,” said Ocasio-Cortez.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said Trump’s campaign slogan truly means he wants to “make America white again,” announced Monday that the House would vote on a resolution condemning his new comments. The resolution “strongly condemns President Donald Trump’s racist comments” and says they “have legitimized and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of colour.”

The Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, said his party would also try to force a vote in the GOP-controlled chamber.

Trump, who won the presidency in 2016 in part by energizing disaffected voters with inflammatory racial rhetoric, made clear he has no intention of backing away from that strategy in 2020.

“The Dems were trying to distance themselves from the four ‘progressives,’ but now they are forced to embrace them,” he tweeted Monday af-

JOSEPH SOHM / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ternoon. “That means they are endorsing Socialism, hate of Israel and the USA! Not good for the Democrats!”

Trump has faced few consequences for such attacks in the past. They typically earn him cycles of wall-to-wall media attention. He is wagering that his most steadfast supporters will be energized by the controversy as much, or if not more so, than the opposition.

“It’s possible I’m wrong,” Trump allowed Monday. “The voters will decide.”

The president has told aides that he was giving voice what many of his supporters believe — that they are tired of people, including immigrants, disrespecting their country, according to three Republicans close to the White House who were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.

Trump on Monday singled out Omar, in particular, accusing her of having “hatred” for Israel, and expressing “love” for “enemies like al-Qaida.”

“These are people that, in my opinion, hate our country,” he said.

Omar, in an interview, once laughed about how a college professor had spoken of alQaida with an intensity she said was not used to describe “America,” “England” or “The Army.”

She addressed herself directly to Trump in a tweet, writing, “You are stoking white nationwww.canadianinquirer.net

alism (because) you are angry that people like us are serving in Congress and fighting against your hate-filled agenda.”

Republicans, for their part, largely trod carefully with their responses.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close ally of the president who golfed with him over the weekend, advised him to “aim higher” during an appearance on “Fox and Friends,” even as he accused the four Democrats of being “anti-Semitic” and “anti-American.”

Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice-President Mike Pence, said “I don’t think that the president’s intent in any way is racist,” pointing to Trump’s decision to choose Elaine Chao, who was born outside the country, as his transportation secretary.

Chao is one of the few minorities among the largely white and male aides in high-profile roles in Trump’s administration. She is the wife of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who declined comment Monday on Trump’s attacks.

The latest provocation came just two days after Trump inserted himself further into a rift between Pelosi and OcasioCortez, offering an unsolicited defence of the Democratic speaker. Pelosi has been seeking to minimize Ocasio-Cortez’s influence in the House Democratic caucus in recent days, prompting the freshman

lawmaker to accuse Pelosi of trying to marginalize women of colour.

Trump told advisers later that he was pleased with his meddling, believing that dividing Democrats would be helpful to him, as would elevating any self-proclaimed socialists as a way to frighten voters to steer clear of their liberal politics, the Republicans said.

Among the few GOP lawmakers commenting Monday, Rep. Pete Olson of Texas said Trump’s tweets were “not reflective of the values of the 1,000,000+ people” in his district. “We are proud to be the most diverse Congressional district in America. I urge our President immediately disavow his comments,” he wrote.

Several other Republicans went out of their way to say they were not condoning the views of the Democrats, while encouraging Trump to retract his comments.

Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who is up for re-election next year, said Trump’s tweet was “way over the line and he should take that down.”

Sen. Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania said of the Democrats, “We should defeat their ideas on the merits, not on the basis of their ancestry.”

In an Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll from February 2017, half of Americans said the mixing of culture and values from around the world is an important part of America’s identity as a nation. Fewer — about a third — said the same of a culture established by early European immigrants.

But partisans in that poll were divided over these aspects of America’s identity.

About two-thirds of Democrats but only about a third of Republicans thought the mixing of world cultures was important to the country’s identity.

By comparison, nearly half of Republicans but just about a quarter of Democrats saw the culture of early European immigrants as important to the nation. ■ Associated Press writer Hannah Fingerhut contributed from Washington.

World News

22

JULY 19, 2019

FRIDAY

Waving the Filipino Flag at a French-Speaking Territory on a 121st year of Freedom

BY BOLET AREVALO

IN TRUTH, I am not into attending mushy Filipino events and that kind of stuff. Not that they do not do it well. But since I moved to another country, I just didn’t want to be constantly reminded that I left and now just trying hard to keep the connection. It hurts a bit.

It is also not that I have not attended or graced any in my eleven years in Canada. On countless smaller scales, I get invited to home parties or get-togethers. Here in Canada, whether or not you are told that it is a potluck party, you are somehow expected to bring something to eat. And whether the party is indeed a potluck or not, you can be sure to go home with more than what you brought in.

Always, always plenty of takeouts from leftovers. Now you know, why most Pinoy households keep those recyclable

BOLET AREVALO / PHILIPPINE CANADIAN INQUIRER

plastic containers. That is how warm and hospitable Pinoys are. They always anticipate that these plastics will be useful and handy for giving away leftover food from parties or just about anytime they have plenty.

Pinoys party hard, and eat hard!

Filipino friends and acquaintances I speak to every now and

then, always marvel at how they get overfed every time they attend Filipino gatherings. Not only do they get introduced to hearty Filipino cuisine but also get hooked on these all-time favorites like the pancit, lumpiang shanghai, adobo, sinigang, embutido, kare-kare and a lot, lot more.

On an event like a celebration

of patriotic nature, the same abundance of Filipino food can be expected. When the Montreal Pinoys gathered to celebrate the 121st anniversary of Philippine independence, permanent fixtures include the row of stalls that pride themselves of just about any Pinoy dish and delicacies one can ever imagine for sale.

Same wonderful event hap-

pened last June 15 at the Parc McKenzie King at the initiative of the dynamic Canadian Council of Filipino Associations in Quebec (CCFAQ) and the Knights of Rizal. The year’s festivities was led by the indefatigable Dario Boco, current president of CCFAQ. Sir Dario, ❱❱ PAGE 33 Waving the

Hong Kong leader thanks police after clashes with ‘rioters’

BY ALICE FUNG AND NADIA LAM The Associated Press HONG KONG leader Carrie Lam thanked police on Monday after violent scuffles erupted between law enforcement officers and protesters demanding her resignation.

A demonstration Sunday in Hong Kong’s Sha Tin district was peaceful for most of the day, but fights broke out when police started clearing streets after nightfall. Some protesters retreated into a shopping complex where they and police hit each other with clubs and umbrellas.

Lam paid a hospital visit to police officers who were injured and expressed gratitude to them for safeguarding law and order in Hong Kong. “They

are committed, professional and have exercised restraint when they were being attacked by those whom I describe as ‘rioters,”‘ she told reporters.

Large-scale protests began in Hong Kong last month in opposition to proposed extradition legislation that would allow people in Hong Kong to be sent for trials in mainland China, where critics say their legal rights would not be guaranteed. In response to a series of massive demonstrations calling for the bills’ withdrawal, Lam said the legislation was “dead.” But thousands have continued to take to the streets to call for greater government accountability and democratic reforms.

While largely peaceful, the protests have at times devolved into clashes between protesters and police, who have used pep-

per spray, bean bag rounds, rubber bullets and tear gas to quell demonstrators. The protesters are in turn calling for police to be held responsible for their tactics. Activists have also accused Lam of ignoring public sentiment and called on her to resign.

“Although I am currently encountering a huge difficulty, I have publicly stressed many times that I will continue to still bear my responsibility and have the passion for continuing my job until the end of my term,” Lam said Monday.

Both pro-democracy legislators and ones who support China’s Communist Party-led central government held news conferences on Monday to address the clashes.

“Both sides have to come out and establish communication channels,” said pro-Beijing lawwww.canadianinquirer.net

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam.

maker Starry Lee. “I think (Lam) and also the bureau responsible should come out and respond to this issue,” Lee said. “Otherwise Hong Kong will be the loser and no Hong Kong person wants to see this happen again and again.”

Pro-democracy legislator

林鄭月娥 CARRIE LAM / FACEBOOK

Claudia Mo described the current tumult as “the biggest political and governance crisis Hong Kong has ever faced.”

“The whole of Hong Kong found it difficult to cope,” Mo said. “We urge once again Carrie Lam to come out and face the people.” ■

23

Entertainment Four film entries approved for 2019 MMFF

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

@BERNARDOKATH / INSTAGRAM

A TOTAL of four films have officially been approved to complete the Magic 8 for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), confirmed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority last Wednesday, July 10.

The selection committee was composed of MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, and Laguna 1st District Rep. Dan Fernandez, who made the initial announcement, Lim stating in a mix of English

and Filipino, “This year will be the 100th year of Philippine cinema, so let’s plan for a lot of activities so we can really celebrate this event.” National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera was also part of the selection committee, sharing that the four chosen out of the 26 scripts from 22 production houses were judged 40% for Artistic Excellence, 40% for Commercial Appeal, 10% for Filipino Cultural Sensibility, and 10% for Global Appeal.

The committee elaborated that the four films initially chosen will be among the selected that are completed by September 20.

The four films include: “Ampon” by Quantum Films starring Derek Ramsey and Kris Aquino, “Miracle in Cell No. 7” by VIVA Films starring Aga Muhlach and Nadine Lustre, “Mission Unstopabol: The Don Identity” by APT Entertainment, Inc., ZET Productions starring Vic Sotto and Maine Mendoza, and “Momalland” by ABS-CBN Film Productions and VIVA Films starring Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis.

The 45th edition of the MMFF will be opening on Christmas Day, December 25, 2019. Last year, the festival made more than P1.6 billion. ■

Kathryn Bernardo awarded Best Actress Rico Blanco calls out PH entertainment during 2019 Eddys website for misleading headline

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer KAPAMILYA “Teen Queen” Kathryn Bernardo proves her acting chops to be at par once again as she is hailed Best Actress during the Sunday’s Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards for Movies, also known as The Eddys, last Sunday, July 14 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City.

This is the second time that Kathryn has won for her performance in 2018 film “The Hows of Us,” previously scoring the same title at the recent 35th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards. During The Eddys, she bested out Angelica Panganiban, Glaiza de Castro, Gloria Romero, Judy Ann Santos, Nadine Lustre, and Sarah Geronimo for the same award.

Kathryn shared her delight in receiving the award to her 8.7 million followers after the event, posting on Instagram, “I personally believe that trophies do not make an actress. It’s also not about the sales or how much

a movie has earned. It’s about the many hearts that you’re able to touch through your films. It’s about making a fictional character come to life and having other people see themselves in her as well. It’s about the literal sweat, blood, and tears that you pour into your role.”

She adds, “I feel validated as an actress not because of this trophy, but because of what it symbolizes: people lining up in the cinemas to see the film we’ve worked so hard on, being able to touch so many hearts through it, and the continuous support and recognition that we’ve been receiving since.

Your endless love and support make everything worthwhile.”

Among the other awardees on the same night include Dingdong Dantes as Best Actor for his performance in “Sid & Aya,” “Liway” as Best Picture, and Joel Lamangan as Best Director.

Kathryn’s next upcoming project is the film “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” where she stars alongside Alden Richards. The movie will be released on July 31. ■

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer FILIPINO SINGER-SONGWRITER Rico Blanco, calls out the Philippine Entertainment Portal for their headline stating that he did not want to be labelled as the “Keanu Reeves ng Pilipinas,” tweeting that it was “stupid” and “will get [him] in trouble.”

On his Twitter account with 1.66 million followers, the 46-year-old musician posts last Monday, July 8 responding to the article, saying, “Stupid headline will get me into trouble, guys. My point was let’s stop making Filipinos local versions of global icons,” referring to his statement during a contract signing with Viva Music Publishing that he “takes it as a compliment” and is “flattered” when people say he looks like the John Wick star, but he has “a running silent advocacy that Filipinos should not be Pinoy versions of whoever.”

Blanco further expressed his dismay with Pep, tagging their social media account, saying, www.canadianinquirer.net

@RICOBLANCO / INSTAGRAM

“That’s the last time you’ll ever be invited to a presscon of mine.

I trusted you, but you abused the trust like you always do with artists. Next time, learn to respect the artists you interview.

Understand they work hard and help put food on YOUR table.”

In the initial interview, he elaborates to the entertainment news portal, who initially brought up the topic, “We should be Anne Curtis is Anne Curtis. Sarah G. is Sarah G. She’s not Adele of the Philippines. She’s not Lady Gaga of

the Philippines. So, whenever someone says maybe Keanu Reeves is Rico Blanco, I don’t know… We’re two different people. How many gigs has he played? How many Hollywood blockbusters have I starred in? But I think people mean it lightly anyway – that we both have long hair and don’t shave.”

The former Rivermaya frontman, who was part of popularizing Original Pilipino Music (OPM) tracks “Kisapmata,” “Liwanag sa Dilim,” “Elesi,” “Ulan,” and “Himala.” ■

24

Entertainment

JULY 19, 2019

FRIDAY

Miss Earth Philippines 2019 is Janelle Tee of Pasig

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer TWENTY-THREE -year-old Pasigueño Janelle Tee, known for her hosting stints both in GMA-7’s Wowowin and Chinoy TV, bested out 39 other candidates and was crowned Miss Earth Philippines 2019 last Wednesday, July 10 during the coronation night at The Cove, Okada Manila, Parañaque.

The Filipino-Chinese won the crowd over when she was asked, “Which do you think is a better strategy to encourage people to be environmentally conscious – give incentives for good environmental practice or penalize bad eco-habits? Why?” along with the four other finalists.

She answered, “I would choose to give incentives, because as a

productive country, we know that we have a lot of communities that truly need help in terms of livelihood projects, which is what I’ve been doing with ABSCBN Foundation,” explaining, “That’s why I want to choose incentives because we have to teach them how to fish, rather than just give them fish for the day. If you teach them how to fish, then it will be there for a living. It will be there sustainably in them. Thank you.”

Janelle became the successor of Miss Philippines Earth 2018 Celeste Cortesi from the Filipino community in Italy.

Unfortunately, Celeste was not present to turn her crown over for the coronation due to a bad allergy, telling pageant fans the night before, “Following the advice of my doctor, I will not be able to attend the coronation of

Miss Philippines Earth. I wish I could be there to turn over my crown and show my support to all the candidates. All I want to say is thank you for all the love you guys gave me during my journey.” Zahra Saldua, Miss Earth-Air Philippines 2018, fulfilled Celeste’s duties instead.

Among the other winners were Misamis Oriental representative Ana Monica Tan as Miss Philippines Air, Marikina City representative Alexandra Dayrit as Miss Philippines Fire, Tacloban City representative Chelsea Fernandez as Miss Philippines Water, and Iloilo representative Karen Nicole Piccio as Miss Philippines EcoTourism.

The newly crowned queen will be representing the country in the upcoming Miss Earth pageant at the end of the year ■

Marian Rivera applauded for donating extra breast milk

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

And because she is blessed with this, I salute her for choosing to donate her excess expressed milk to those who need it the most.”

The actor continues, “Thank you, Maricel, for being that angelic link that would feed infants with all these thousands of milliliters of breast milk, which to me is gold!” referring to a member of “The Milk Sharing Hub,” which is the program

mental, and safe zone,” also posted on Marian’s donation, sharing, “Baby Mati will be drinking special breastmilk toAFTER THE recent birth of night as he tries to grow stronher son Sixto, 34-year-old Kager so his parents can bring him puso actress Marian Rivera has home from the NICU. He was decided to donate her excess born too early and needs lifebreastmilk, with her on-screen saving breastmilk to combat all partner and real-life husband the life-threatening conditions Dingdong Dantes beaming with of a preemie,” concluding, “His pride about his wife’s generosmommy is still working on her ity on Instagram last Wednessupply so thankfully generous day, July 9. donors such as To his 2.6 milMommy Marlion followers, ian Rivera. Keep Dingdong shares the milk flowing an image of his at our TPE Milk wife and fourThere are many things I admire Sharing Hub.” year-old daughabout my wife, but one of them With her doter Zia holding that really makes her a superwoman nation, Marthe milk, stating, in my eyes is her dedication to ian works for “There are many breastfeeding. the Philippine things I admire Congress as an about my wife, Ambassador but one of them for Women and that really makes Children with her a superwoman in my eyes that advocates for breast milk Disabilities, supporting public is her dedication to breastfeed- donations for the babies whose breastfeeding and being awarding. Being a witness to what mothers cannot provide con- ed the Breastfeeding Influencshe went through with Zia, and sumable milk. er and Advocate Award by the with what she is providing for The Parenting Emporium, a Mother and Child Nurses AsSixto, I know that producing community that gathers par- sociation of the Philippines last that precious milk is not easy. ents as an “inclusive, non-judg- November 25, 2016. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

@CATRIONA_GRAY / INSTAGRAM

Catriona Gray speaks out about body-shaming

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer AMIDST CONTROVERSIES being called “fat” by Miss Grand Thailand 2019 Arayha Suparuk, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has finally provided her opinions on body-shaming as a whole, indirectly addressing the issue to her more than 575,000 Twitter followers last Sunday, July 14.

Catriona welcomed questions from her supporters after encountering a power outage in Manhattan, numerous asking about the Filipina-Australian’s stand on body-shaming.

She replies, “Obviously I stand firmly against any form of bullying and bashing – online and off. It is never, ever okay to put someone down for the sake of ‘expressing your opinion.’

With words come power and we should be using those words to build someone up and not pull them down.”

She adds, “It is never, ever okay to put someone down for the sake of ‘expressing your opinion.’ With words come power and we should be using those words to build someone up and not pull them down,” then encourages her followers, stating, “If anyone reading this too has been body-shamed,

I know how it feels. I’m sorry you’ve had to experience that.

But know that you are more than your appearance. You are a capable, unique and worthy person. And you are never alone.”

In addition, Catriona advised one specific follower who asked about confidence and “loving the way [she] is,” sharing, “You are so much more than your body! You are your mind and your unique talents and your character and your life experiences and your personality!

You are so so much more than the exterior! And people will always remember how you made them feel and not how you looked.”

She elaborates, “Confidence isn’t something you’re born with or that people ‘just have.’

It’s like a ‘muscle’ that you have to decide to use and it strengthens the more you work on it.

So continue to work on yourself, embrace your uniqueness and be kind and positive!” The 25-year-old tells another follower, “Insecurities will always be there, but your ability to work past them is what you can work on. Be kind to yourself, we’re all works in progress and that’s okay.”

Catriona will be passing her crown to the next Miss Universe in December 2019. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

25

Feds bring new sex crime charges against singer R. Kelly

BY SARA BURNETT AND CARYN ROUSSEAU The Associated Press

seph Fitzpatrick said the R&B singer was out walking his dog when he was taken into custody about 7 p.m. Thursday and was being held by federal authorities. According to the Federal BuCHICAGO — Singer R. Kelly, already reau of Prisons website, Kelly is being facing sexual abuse charges brought by held at the high-rise Metropolitan CorIllinois prosecutors, was arrested in Chi- rectional Center, in downtown Chicago. cago on sweeping federal indictments He was arrested after the indictment that accuse him and members of his en- was handed down earlier Thursday in tourage of recruiting women and girls to federal court for the Northern District of engage in illegal sexual activity with the Illinois. He is scheduled to be arraigned performer and later paying victims and in Chicago federal court on Tuesday afwitnesses to cover up his crimes. ternoon.

An indictment unsealed Friday in the Kelly’s attorney, Steve Greenberg, said Eastern District of New York includes Friday that federal agents arrested Kelly charges of racketeering, kidnapping, on charges out of Illinois and New York. forced labour and the sexual exploi- The singer hopes to be released after a tation of a child. It says Kelly and his bail hearing early next week, Greenberg managers, bodyguards and other as- said. sistants picked out women and girls at The conduct Kelly is charged with in concerts and other venues and arranged federal court “appears to largely be the for them to travel to see Kelly. They also same” as what he is charged with in state set rules the women and girls had to fol- court, Greenberg said, adding that Kelly low, including not leaving their rooms “was aware of the investigations and the — even to eat or go charges were not a to the bathroom — surprise.” without Kelly’s per“He and his lawmission, calling the yers look forward to singer “Daddy,” and He and his his day in court, to not looking at other lawyers look the truth coming out men, the indictment forward to his and to his vindication alleges. day in court, from what has been The indictment alto the truth an unprecedented leges that the crimicoming out assault by others for nal acts occurred and to his their own personal over two decades datvindication gain,” Greenberg ing back to 1999, both from what said, adding that Kelin the U.S. and overhas been an ly looks forward to seas. It accuses Kelly unprecedented being able to continof engaging in sexual assault by ue making music and acts with girls under others for their performing “for his 18 and without disown personal legions of fans that closing that he had a gain. believe in him.” sexually transmitted The arrest was the disease. It also accussecond time this year es him of producing that Kelly has been child pornography, taken into custody including by asking minors to send him in Chicago on sex charges. The 52-yearphotographs. old Grammy winner, whose real name is A separate 13-count indictment filed Robert Kelly, was arrested in February in Chicago federal court details efforts to on 10 counts in Illinois of sexually abuscover up sexually explicit videos of Kelly ing three girls and a woman. He pleaded with underage girls. Prosecutors say the not guilty to those charges and was redefendants paid hundreds of thousands leased on bail. of dollars to victims and witnesses to Then on May 30, Cook County prosemake sure they wouldn’t co-operate cutors added 11 more sex-related counts with law enforcement. It also accuses involving one of the women who acKelly of using physical abuse, violence cused him of sexually abusing her when and blackmail to prevent victims from she was underage. providing evidence to law enforcement.

Darrell Johnson, a publicist for Kelly, The Chicago indictment charges Kelly said he planned to deliver a statement with child sex crimes, including produc- about the latest developments at a Friing child pornography, and conspiracy day morning news conference in Atto defraud the U.S. government. It also lanta. He declined to comment ahead of names Kelly’s business manager and an- that time. other employee.

Kelly’s attorneys could not immediU.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Jo- ately be reached for comment on the

@RKELLY / INSTAGRAM

federal charges. Fitzpatrick said Kelly’s arraignment date and time had not yet been set.

Kelly has faced mounting legal troubles this year after Lifetime aired a documentary “Surviving R. Kelly,” which revisited allegations of sexual abuse of girls. The series followed the BBC’s “R Kelly: Sex, Girls & Videotapes,” released in 2018, that alleged the singer was holding women against their will and running a “sex cult.”

Soon after the release of the Lifetime

documentary, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said her office had been inundated with calls about the allegations in the documentary. Her office’s investigation led to the charges in February and additional counts added in May. Kelly avoided prison after similar allegations were made more than a decade ago. A jury in 2008 acquitted him of child pornography charges that stemmed from a videotape, obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, allegedly showing Kelly having sex with a minor. ■

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26

Lifestyle Are sharks really monsters? Or so we thought?

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer BEACH, a place that once heard, excites many people because of, among others, its stunning views that led to many photo sessions, the laid back vibe it gives, and its extremely calming effect on us just by walking on sand and watching the waves. Being close to the sea also means we can enjoy a lot of water sports and activities such as surfing, banana boat riding, snorkeling, deep sea diving, and many more. However, some beachgoers, or even those who seldom visit the coast, are afraid to be in the water because aside from not knowing how to swim, they wouldn’t want the idea of having these creatures lurking beneath their legs, waiting for the perfect timing to eat their next meal.

With its medium to enormous size, unnerving gaze, and razor-sharp teeth, sure, it cannot be denied that majority of us have a mental picture of sharks as deadly predators and see them as the ‘mafias’ of the seas that we and all other fish are scared of. In movies, sharks are portrayed as bloodthirsty monsters that attack humans whenever and wherever they want — thanks to films like Sharknado and Sand Shark for letting us know that sharks have an awesome power to kill people not only in the oceans but also in the air and sand. If not in the films, sharks may have been used by parents to scare their children that they might get eaten by it if they go too far on the beach.

But if truth be told, are sharks really the ‘killing machines’

they are commonly portrayed as? Or the story where we made them appear to be the murderers is, in fact, largely the opposite? Comparing the number of reported shark attacks to humans to the number of sharks killed in humans’ hands, are we really the ones who should be worried?

On this day, July 14, the world is celebrating an occasion dedicated to these toothy life forms called Shark Awareness Day. If you think this day is for you to go out there and give warnings to beachgoers to watch out for the ‘underwater beasts’… nope.

It is actually meant for us to make room for respect and admiration to these animals that most of us thought are ‘ruthless man-eaters’ but, in reality, have done something good both to the marine environment and to us that we are unaware about.

Importance in ecosystem

Who would have thought that these creatures with the spinechilling reputation are the ones responsible for keeping the ocean ecosystem healthy?

Sitting at the top of the food chain like king and queens, sharks play a crucial role in balancing populations of several kinds of fish through feeding on organisms below them.

A July 2008 study done by Oceana titled, Predators as Prey: Why Healthy Oceans Need Sharks, also found that aside from regulating the abundance of other species, sharks, as top predators, are able to sustain the underwater ecosystem in good shape by “providing essential food sources for scavengers” and eliminating those sick and weak from

prey populations, preventing disease from spreading and leaving only the toughest and healthy ones.

Without sharks in the ocean, can you imagine living in an overpopulated ecosystem filled with disease-infected animals?

ing enough time for the plants in those areas to grow back sooner.

As longs as there are sharks, seagrass would be protected from being overgrazed. As long as sharks exist, they too can also fight climate change.

Importance in fighting climate change

Importance in the economy

Little did we know, sharks are also protecting us from climate change. How? By frightening herbivores of the ocean like sea turtles that feed on seagrass.

Seagrass has the vital role of absorbing a huge amount of carbon and storing it within sediments so it would be kept out of the Earth’s atmosphere.

If sharks aren’t around and no one would prey on them, Oceana said sea turtles have the gall to consume more of its main food source, leading to the release of more carbon in the atmosphere and thereby accelerating global warming.

But with the sharks’ appearance, sea turtles would most likely stay away from places where their predators go, giv-

www.canadianinquirer.net

In addition to its importance, sharks also make contribution to boosting humans’ economies. But we aren’t crediting that to the number of these animals who meet their demise at our own hands as their fins are hacked from their body and sold to markets at a very high price.

Thanks to people who are fascinated with seeing and swimming with the sharks, they are helping to promote these creatures as one of the attractions of tourism. A study in 2013 titled, Global economic value of shark ecotourism: implications for conservation, found that more than USD 300 million per year is generated by the shark tourism, which could be doubled to USD 780 million within the

next 20 years.

Aside from this, a 2012 article published in Conversation International’s blog has also proven that sharks are worth much more when they are alive than being added as one of the ingredients of a dish. The article stated that one could sell a set of hammerhead shark fins for USD 100, but a diver who’s interested to see and swim with a shark in Galápagos Islands is willing to pay for USD 5000.

Yes, you could earn huge from selling shark’s fin for a day, but if you would look at the bigger picture, drawing more tourists to see live sharks could actually bring more money, benefit more people, thrive more businesses, and more importantly, save them from the brink of extinction.

Eliminating sharks does not mean the world would finally be a place full of sunshine and rainbows. The reality is much different. Getting rid of them could put all of us in a catastrophic situation. If there are things sharks can do for us, isn’t it right to return the favor by also safeguarding them from the harms we ourselves have brought to them?

Let’s stop having the perspective that sharks are the monsters of the sea and start to learn as much as we can about these animals — their origin, their different types, their habitats, as well as their behaviors.

There is so much to learn from them, and by educating ourselves, we could find effective ways how to save our toothy ocean pals. Spreading awareness about sharks being good life forms would be a good idea where to begin with, right? ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

27

Liz Weston: How wealthy singles can 3 steps to keep ‘solo protect their riches from partners looking for a payout agers’ happier and safer

BY LIZ WESTON The Associated Press

BY ALEKSANDRA SAGAN The Canadian Press SINGLE PEOPLE often lament the difficulties of the dating game, but the obstacles to a perfect match can be compounded for those in the upper echelons of earners.

In addition to finding a suitable long-term partner, the rich, famous and single need to be wary of suitors who are more interested in their pocketbook than personality, and experts say there are ways to protect their wealth from opportunists.

“A fair amount” of clients using Preferred Match, a Toronto-based matchmaking service for affluent people, express fears around partners fishing for a payout rather than a love connection, said founder Christina Jay. She charges a minimum $2,500 for three matches to up to $40,000 for a package that includes a photoshoot and world-wide partner search.

The simplest solution, it seems, is to date within one’s financial strata.

“That’s… easy to know that, that person is not just interested in them just for their money,” said Jay of a lawyer or doctor seeking a partner within their profession.

But a financial equal can be hard to find, she said, and some people don’t want that. Instead, they prefer a partner whose schedule is less demanding and can be more available to, say, vacation on a whim.

In that case, the wealthy can take some precautions early in the dating game, said Jay. Conversation about the extent of their riches should be limited, she said.

Those first encounters also offer an opportunity to watch for red flags, said Jay, like the other person insisting on extravagant vacations or expensive gifts.

“It’s one thing to want to do that — to offer that type of lifestyle to someone — as opposed to the other partner really kind of pushing for that,” she said.

Once the couple starts spending any time in the wealthy person’s home, privacy protections

become paramount, said Serena Cheng, director of wealth management and an investment adviser at Richardson GMP, which works with high and ultra-high net worth clients, including several worth more than $25 million.

People should ensure their electronics — which could hold important personal or business financial information — are password protected and secured, Cheng said.

“You just don’t leave your stuff around,” she said. “I mean, you could be sitting there having dinner with them and you’re going to get something and you have a financial bank statement just sitting there.”

If the couple starts spending nights at each other’s homes, the wealthy individual should be thinking about having their partner sign a cohabitation agreement, said Lorne MacLean, founder of Vancouverbased MacLean Family Law. A cohabitation agreement is similar to a prenuptiual agreement, but for a couple who are not married.

The amount of time it takes for a couple to be considered common-law — and receive many of the same protections as a married couple should they split — depends on the province, and doesn’t have as clear a starting point as a marriage certificate, he said.

A cohabitation agreement needs to be negotiated fairly, said the family lawyer, who works on high-net worth and complex family law disputes.

That means both people need to disclose all their assets, which must be accompanied by a proper valuation, he said, and both parties need to consult separate lawyers.

Such an agreement can limit the division of assets and minimize spousal support if the relationship fails, MacLean said.

Another step worth considering is a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), said Cheng, especially for artists, entrepreneurs or other business people who monetize ideas.

An NDA can prevent a person’s partner from stealing their ideas or taking them to a competitor, she said, or leaking information about a big deal, such as a company’s plan to go public.

Ultimately, people need to be careful when choosing whom to date, said Corina Weigl, a partner and co-leader of the private client service group at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, a law firm.

“It’s the same thing you and I would want to exercise in our own relationship,” she said.

“You want to … exercise good judgement and try to assess people’s character. Why are they in a relationship?” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

when the first boomers hit their 40s, according to Pew Research Center. (The childless rate had declined to 15% by 2014.) “(Solo agers) need to be thinking about how to stay safe and happy and satisfied with their life and connected throughout their life,” she says.

RETIREMENT COACH Sara Zeff Geber visited several Northern California assisted living facilities to interview “solo agers” — people, either single or coupled, who don’t have children to help them as Step one: Build a community they grow older.

People who don’t expand At many facilities, she couldn’t their social networks can find find any. That puzzled her until themselves isolated and lonely she realized that adult children as friends die or move closer to are often the ones pushing the their grandkids. Strengthening move into long-term care facili- ties with relatives and making ties. new friends, par“Who is it that ticularly younger gets mom or dad ones, can counto move out of teract that trend. the two-story, So can cultivatsingle-family Thinking ing relationships home?” says about these with neighbours, Geber, founder realities is coffee shop budof LifeEncore hard but dies and other coaching service necessary, acquaintances. A in Santa Rosa, especially 2014 study found California. “The for the baby people with kids badger and boomers more of these cajole.” in or “weak tie” relaMany people approaching tionships reportwon’t have chilretirement. ed being happier. dren to look after them as they age, Step two: either because Choose your they didn’t have home carefully kids or the ones they have aren’t Your current home may not available or reliable. Without be the ideal place to grow oldthat help, they face greater risks er, especially if you won’t have of isolation, financial exploita- many opportunities to socialize tion, malnutrition and other after you stop driving. But not ills, says Geber, author of “Es- everyone wants or can afford sential Retirement Planning 55-plus developments, assisted for Solo Agers.” living or continuing care reWho will let them know when tirement communities, which it’s time to stop driving? Who require residents to be healthy will notice signs of physical or when they move in but then ofcognitive decline and find ap- fer skilled nursing or long-term propriate help? Who will pay care to those who need it. their bills, vet their financial Some communities have oradvisors and monitor their bank ganized “villages,” which are accounts? Who will hire and su- non-profit associations typipervise caretakers or research cally created and staffed by nursing facilities when they can residents of a neighbourhood to no longer care for themselves? provide services such as transThinking about these reali- portation and access to vetted ties is hard but necessary, espe- service providers. “Co-houscially for the baby boomers in ing,” where people build clusor approaching retirement, Ge- ters of homes around shared ber says. The rate of childless- spaces that encourage interacness doubled with the boom- tion, is another model available ers, with 20% of women ages in some cities.

40 to 44 being childless in 2005 Or you could look for “natucompared to about 12% in 1986, ❱❱ PAGE 28 3 steps

28

Lifestyle

JULY 19, 2019

FRIDAY

Apollo 11’s ‘amiable strangers’ Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins

BY MARCIA DUNN The Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. — Mission commander Neil Armstrong was the flying ace, Buzz Aldrin the scholar. Michael Collins was a crack test pilot, too, but also a wordsmith who described the trio as “amiable strangers.”

Apollo 11’s astronauts had six months to gel as a crew and prepare for humanity’s greatest space feat. The three had never served together on the same spaceflight before, and the “almost frantic” preparation left little if any time for bonding, Collins said.

“Apollo 11 was a little different than some of the other flights,” Collins explained.

“We didn’t cruise around in colour-co-ordinated Corvettes or anything like that. We were all business. We were all hard work, and we felt the weight of the world upon us.”

A brief look at each man: Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon but the least inclined to talk about it.

Last year’s film, “First Man,” captured his private nature; his two sons served as movie consultants. Such reticence merely reinforced the mystery surrounding the late astronaut, who by skill, hard work and chance became the first human

to set foot on another world.

Armstrong was superbly qualified for the job: fighter pilot in Korea, X-15 test pilot, one of only two civilians selected for the second astronaut group in 1962, Gemini 8 command pilot, backup commander of Apollo 8 and, finally, commander of Apollo 11.

He’d proven his mettle again and again. He had to gain control of his tumbling Gemini 8 spacecraft in 1966 and bring it down early, and he ejected from a lunar lander training device in 1968 just before it crashed in flames in Houston.

Armstrong left NASA two years after Apollo 11 and taught engineering at the University of Cincinnati until 1979. He spent his remaining years in his home state of Ohio. He finally agreed to a biography: 2005’s “First Man” by historian James Hansen, the basis for last year’s film.

Armstrong died in 2012 at age 82. *** Buzz Aldrin was the second man to walk on the moon, but the first astronaut to have a doctorate and dance with the stars.

Aldrin, now 89, had a long list of accomplishments by the time NASA chose him for the third astronaut group in 1963: third in his class at West Point, fighter pilot in Korea, Air Force officer, a doctorate in astronau-

tics. He was dubbed Dr. Rendezvous for his expertise in orbital dockings.

He flew on Gemini 12 in 1966 and was on the backup crew for Apollo 8. Then came Apollo 11.

He later legally changed his name from Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. to his childhood nickname Buzz. His name was the inspiration for the character Buzz Lightyear in the animated “Toy Story” films. His mother’s name: Marion Moon.

After Apollo 11, Aldrin spent years struggling with mental depression and alcoholism. He left NASA in 1971 and briefly headed the test pilot school at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Drawn toward the spotlight, Aldrin portrayed himself in a 1994 episode of the TV program “The Simpsons” and took a spin in 2010 on TV’s “Dancing with the Stars.” He’s travelled the globe, including the South Pole, pushing for Mars travel.

Last year, two of his three children sought to declare him mentally incompetent, then he sued them. Both sides dropped the case in March.

Aldrin moves between Satellite Beach, Florida, and Southern California. *** Michael Collins was “The Forgotten Man” during the Apollo 11 lunar landing: While the two others were walking on

LEFT TO RIGHT: Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin.

NASA HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT GALLERY VIA WIKIPEDIA, PUBLIC DOMAIN

the moon, he circled overhead in the command module.

For previous Apollo 11 anniversaries, Collins was content to be forgotten. But with the “huge gap” left by Armstrong’s death, Collins, 88, feels compelled to speak up even though “my first inclination for celebrating the 50th anniversary … is to go hide under a rock somewhere.” His two daughters have helped him navigate the avalanche of requests.

The Air Force officer and former test pilot flew on Gemini 10 in 1966, three years after being accepted into the third astronaut group. He was supposed to be command module pilot of Apollo 8, the first manned flight to circle the moon, but was bumped because of a bone spur in his neck. Surgery corrected

the problem, and he wound up on Apollo 11.

Collins was astounded when reporters later asked him about being lonely as he circled the moon by himself, especially on the lunar far side, out of radio contact. “I felt like I was Neil and Buzz’s meal ticket home,” he said. “I was in no way, shape or form lonely.”

Collins left NASA six months after Apollo 11. He briefly served as assistant secretary of state for public affairs and was founding director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum.

In an updated preface to his 1974 autobiography “Carrying the Fire,” Collins said he enjoys fishing, painting and reading near Florida’s Everglades, and feels “lucky, lucky, lucky.” ■

someone else to make decisions should they become incapacitated. These documents include powers of attorney for finances and for health care.

(The medical power of attorney may also be called an advanced health care directive). Without this paperwork, solo agers could become wards of the court with strangers making decisions for them, Geber says.

Finding someone trustworthy to take over can be a challenge. A responsible younger friend or relative may be one option. In California and Arizona, people can hire licensed fiduciaries for this role, Geber says. Other states don’t have licensing for fiduciaries, she says,

but people may be able to contract with professional guardians. An estate planning attorney or financial planner may be able to put you in touch with the appropriate professional.

Geber urges solo agers to take care of these tasks without delay. A health crisis or other disaster could upend their lives and they won’t have an adult child to help sort things out.

“The biggest problem I see for solo agers and all baby boomers is the denial” of what aging can bring, Geber says. “Open your eyes, do some planning.” ■

3 steps... ❰❰ 27

rally occurring retirement communities” where residents socialize and informally look out for each other. These communities can crop up in a variety of locations, including apartment houses, condos, mobile home parks and even tightknit neighbourhoods of single-family homes. Other possibilities include sharing a place with other solo agers — “Golden Girls” style — or renting a room to a younger person.

Step three: Enlist or hire your future guardians

Estate planning attorneys recommend all adults have documents in place that allow www.canadianinquirer.net

This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet.

29

Sports Choco Mucho new addition to PVL led by ADMU Lady Eagles’ stars

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

@JORDANCLARKSONS / INSTAGRAM

Jordan Clarkson will now play for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer TWENTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson, who is currently a guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association (NBA), is officially on head coach Yeng Guiao’s Gilas Pilipinas lineup, which was officially submitted last Monday, July 15.

Guiao confirmed that Clarkson is i19-man training pool, where 12 will be chosen to participate in the upcoming FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Guiao clarified that he “submitted the pool already to the SBP. It’s a pool from where [they] will pick the final 12 once [they] get closer to the FIBA World Cup,” explaining that there is no word yet from the international federation whether or not Clarkson can play as a Filipino citizen.

He talked about the young player as “the backup plan” in case naturalized player Andray Blatche cannot pursue his duties for Team Philippines, clarifying, “Knock on wood, I hope nothing happens, no harm comes to Andray but at least we

have options on the naturalized players if anything untoward happens. But we’re hoping and praying that we stay healthy.”

Six-foot-five Clarkson had his best NBA year last season, averaging 16.8 points, 1.8 three-pointers, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.7 steals within about 27.3 minutes per game for the Cavaliers.

When talking about the final 12 players that will be included in the lineup, Guiao shared in Filipino, “I cannot say who else is on it. That’s still for the final approval of SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) and MVP (Manuel V. Pangilinan).

Once they approve that, I submitted it today, they will release the final pool.”

The next leg of the FIBA World Cup begins on August 31, with seven-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) champion coach stating about twice-a-week practices, “We’re asking the rest of the guys to make an effort. I know they’re in the important stages of the playoffs, but that’s part of the sacrifice. What’s important is we need to have at least 10 to 12 players every practice so we can go up and down and practice offense and defense.” ■

THE THIRD Open Conference of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) will be welcoming newcomers Rebisco’s Choco Mucho for the next season, as the team is bannered by former Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles Katrina Tolentino, Maddie Madayag, and Bea De Leon.

The news was initially confirmed by President Ricky Palou, who elaborated that the All-Filipina tournament by Sports Vision will be welcoming Rebisco’s second team in the league – the first being two-time champion Creamline, which in-

cludes the likes of other ADMU Lady Eagles stars as well like Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado.

Tony Boy Liao, the director of the tournament, added that Choco Mucho was finalized to be included after Game 3 of the finals when their sister team was defeated by Petro Gazz.

Choco Mucho will be coached

by Oliver Almadro, with the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 champions being joined by Cindy Imbo, Carla Sandoval, Gyra Barroga, Erika Alkuino, Dancel Dusaran, and Kim Gequillana, most either from the University of Perpetual Help or the recently disbanded United Volleyball Club (UVC) of the Philippine Super-

liga (PSL).

PVL Open Conference Season 3 will begin on August 10.

Other than Rebisco’s first team Creamline, other squads returning are Reinforced Conference champions Petro Gazz, PacificTown-Army, BanKo, Motolite Volleyball, the Philippine Air Force, and Bali Pure purest Water.

Palou elaborated on the importance of the upcoming conference as well, stating, “It’s an Open Conference, all the players are Filipino. It’s nice. It will be a good one,” adding, “Even without the imports, I think the top four teams are still the team to beat,” referring to Petro Gazz, Creamline, PacifictownArmy, and BanKo. ■

PH Volcanoes’ player opens up about struggling past as an orphan

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

In 2012, he participated in the country’s under-18 team before being acquired by the Volcanoes in 2015, where he was amidst LITO RAMIREZ, who made bigger, stockier teammates who history as one of the first full were half-Filipino. General Filipino national rugby team manager of the Philippine Rugplayers, born and raised in Maby Football Union Jake Letts nila, has recently made waves described Ramirez as “dangerafter sharing his rags to riches ous” on the field, applauding the story where he player, stating, used to “smell “His strength is rugby” to “playhis speed and his ing rugby” for agility. It’s rethe Philippine Therefore, rugby was suggested, ally hard for a big Volcanoes. which he reveals he ‘didn’t have guy to catch him.

Taken in by any idea it was a sport.’

When they do a local orphancatch him it can age on March be painful.” Letts 17, 1994, which added, “He’s makes the athlete 25 years-old counsellors from his school definitely got the grit. He’s been on paper, Ramirez and his older urged him to pick a sport as a through it all.” brother’s parents went missing recreational activity, which he After making a name for himand were under the care of their quickly stated he was not inter- self in the professional sports uncle, who was an addict. The ested in football and basketball. industry, Ramirez now has boys were sent to the streets to Therefore, rugby was suggested, one goal in mind, explaining, beg for food, which led to them which he reveals he “didn’t have “I want to be with my parents. referring to a small bottle of any idea it was a sport,” revealing, I miss being part of a family. I the solvent glue to fulfill them- “I thought it was the glue. That’s just don’t know how I can find selves. Ramirez elaborates that why I chose rugby for sports.” them.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

they “slept wherever the night caught up with [them],” and after being sent to an orphanage by a woman who spotted their living conditions, bounced from one location to another for years until ending up at Tuloy sa Don Bosco.

Six-year-old Ramirez was residing in that orphanage when

30

Business Economists eye minimal impact DTI pushes proposed of slower China GDP on PH EO bringing down shipping costs

BY JOANN VILLANUEVA Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Some economists have discounted a negative impact on the Philippines in the near term, of the slower second quarter growth of the Chinese economy this 2019.

Gross domestic product (GPD) of the world’s second largest economy posted a nearly 30-year low of 6.2 percent from 6.4 percent in the previous quarter, which economists said reflects the weaker global economic outlook.

Regina Capital managing director Luis Limlingan told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the Chinese economy’s output from April to June this year is within market expectations “so it wasn’t that much a shock.”

He, however, pointed out that “still it raises concerns long term of a slowdown.”

“But long term, if growth slows, it may spill over to us as China is a key trading partner,” he added.

Also, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion told PNA that he does not see any direct and significant impact on the Philippine economy of this latest growth report from China.

“The internal conditions, at this point, are stronger driver of Philippine GDP growth,” he said, citing the improvement in government spending.

“Government spending has been an important indicator so far this year (in) determining economic growth,” he added.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) show that as of end-May this year, government expending declined by 0.8 percent year-on-year to PHP1.314 trillion against year-ago’s PHP1.325 trillion.

Authorities attributed the slower government expenditures growth to the delay in the approval of this year’s national

BY LESLIE GATPOLINTAN Philippine News Agency

budget, which affected the government’s ability to spend according to the program for this year.

Congress approved the proposed PHP3.757-trillion national budget only last February while President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed it into law last April 15.

BTr data show that in 2018, total government spending reached PHP3.408 trillion, which is 21 percent higher than the previous year’s PHP2.823 trillion.

Total revenues last year rose 15 percent to PHP2.85 trillion from year-ago’s PHP2.473 trillion.

This resulted in a budget gap of PHP558.3 billion, 59 percent higher than the previous year’s PHP350.6 billion, with the jump attributed to the government’s infrastructure program.

Similarly, Michael L. Ricafort, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Economics & Industry Research Division head, said China’s slower output “could lead to slower growth in Philippine exports/ trade, that could, in turn, lead to slower Philippine economic/ GDP growth than otherwise.”

This development may result

in another cut in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key policy rates to help boost domestic growth after a slide in the first quarter to 5.6 percent from quarter-ago’s 6.3 percent due to the impact of the budget approval delay, he said.

BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) will have its fifth rate-setting meet for the year on August 8.

It is widely expected to cut BSP’s key rates further after inflation last June reverted to its downward path and slowed to 2.7 percent after rising to 3.2 percent in the previous month.

Inflation last April was three percent.

The MB cut the BSP’s key rates by 25 basis points last May on account of the sustained decline of inflation rate, which peaked at 6.7 percent in September and October 2018.

Ricafort added that easing global inflation, as a result of the global economic slowdown, and the possible cut in Federal Reserve’s key rates when the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets on July 30-31, 2019 may also be among the factors that may prompt the MB to further slash the BSP’s policy rates. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

tional shipping lines.

“Normally, ayaw nating makiaalam sa mga (we do not want to intervene in) setting rates MANILA — The Department of but we have to set perhaps cerTrade and Industry (DTI) will tain parameters by which they ask President Rodrigo Duterte can move so that we avoid overto issue an executive order (EO) charging, unnecessary charges that will significantly reduce lo- or fees being imposed on the gistics costs for local companies importers,” he said. over the next few months.

Lopez also urged importers DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez to negotiate with different supsaid he has instructed Under- pliers who can provide the best secretary Rowel Barba to re- rates. convene the technical working He said the proposed EO will group composed of the Depart- specify the agency that will be ment of Transaccountable for portation, DTI, the setting or at and Department least having betof Finance to ter control on reconstitute the shipping rates; Joint AdminLopez said while the Buistrative Order they are reau of Customs (JAO) resolving keen on (BOC) addresses high shipping coming up port congestion. costs and port with clear “(Under) JAO congestion into guidelines basically right an EO. on shipping now, (it is) interLopez told refees which agency coopporters on the are currently eration. But the sidelines of the set freely agency respon2nd Logistics by the sible for that Services Philipinternational will just have to pines Confershipping be clarified and ence and Exhibilines. strengthened. tion Monday that But of course, we the proposed EO have the coopis expected to eration of the inbring down the ternational shipaverage cost of ping lines here,” logistics as a percentage of sales he added. of local firms from about 27 The Trade chief further said percent to below 20 percent by the three departments will likeyear-end or “a few months after ly endorse the draft EO to the that” with streamlining of the President. process and costs of transport“Wala tayong control sa EO ing goods.

(We have no control when the Citing World Bank’s Dr. Ruth EO will be issued) but on the Banomyong, he said the aver- draft, the technical working age logistics cost of firms con- group will be reconvened. Give sist of only 11.11 percent of the us maybe in a month’s time, we total sales in Thailand, Vietnam will have a draft on this one,” he at 16.3 percent, and Indonesia said. at 21.40 percent.

“For now, our immediate reLopez said they are keen on sponse will be the JAO and then coming up with clear guidelines to be followed by the EO. The on shipping fees which are cur- EO will set the tone from then rently set freely by the interna- on,” he added. ■

Business

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

31

Facebook’s new currency plan under scrutiny in Congress

BY MARCY GORDON The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Facebook’s ambitious plan to create a financial eco-system based on a digital currency faces questions from lawmakers, as it’s shadowed by negative comments from President Donald Trump, his treasury secretary and the head of the Federal Reserve.

Congress begins two days of hearings Tuesday on the currency planned by Facebook, to be called Libra, starting with the Senate Banking Committee. Meanwhile, a House Judiciary subcommittee will extend its bipartisan investigation of the market power of Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple.

Trump tweeted last week that the new currency, Libra, “will have little standing or dependability.” Both Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Fed Chair Jerome Powell have expressed serious concerns recently that Libra could be used for illicit activity.

The Treasury Department has “very serious concerns that Libra could be misused by money launderers and terrorist financers,” Mnuchin told reporters at the White House on Monday. “This is indeed a national security issue.”

Facebook has “a lot of work to do before we get to the point where we’re comfortable with it,” Mnuchin said.

Already under intense scrutiny from regulators and Con-

gress over privacy and market dominance, Facebook stirred anger on Capitol Hill last month with the unveiling of its plan to create a financial ecosystem based on a digital currency. Senate and House hearings went on the calendar, and the Democratic head of the House Financial Services Committee, which is holding Wednesday’s hearing, called on Facebook to suspend the plan until Congress and regulators could review it.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said that Facebook, with some 2 billion users around the world, “is continuing its unchecked expansion and extending its reach into the lives of its users.” She called Libra “a new Swiss-based financial system” that potentially is too big to fail and could require a taxpayer bailout.

David Marcus, the Facebook executive leading the project, says in his testimony prepared for Tuesday’s hearing by the Senate Banking Committee that Libra “is about developing a safe, secure and low-cost way for people to move money efficiently around the world.

We believe that Libra can make real progress toward building a more inclusive financial infrastructure.”

Facebook agrees with Powell’s view that the government’s review of Libra must be “patient and thorough, rather than a sprint to implementation,” Marcus’ statement says. “The time between now and launch is designed to be an open pro-

cess and subject to regulatory oversight and review. In fact, I expect that this will be the broadest, most extensive and most careful pre-launch oversight by regulators and central banks in FinTech’s history. We know we need to take the time to get this right.”

The planned digital currency is billed as a “stablecoin” backed by deposits in sovereign currencies such as the dollar, euro and Japanese yen — unlike bitcoin, ether or other digital currencies. Promising low fees, it could open online commerce to millions of people around the world who lack access to bank accounts and make it cheaper to send money across borders.

But it also raises concerns over the privacy of users’ data and the potential for criminals to use it for money laundering and fraud.

To address privacy concerns, Facebook created a non-profit oversight association, with dozens of partners including PayPal, Uber, Spotify, Visa and MasterCard, to govern Libra. As one among many in the association, Facebook says it won’t have any special rights or privileges. It also created a “digital wallet” subsidiary, Calibra, to work on the technology, separately from its main social media business.

While Facebook owns and controls Calibra, it won’t see financial data from it, the company says.

Mnuchin’s comments came a few days after Trump tweeted: “I am not a fan of Bitcoin and

other Cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air. Unregulated Crypto Assets can facilitate unlawful behaviour, including drug trade and other illegal activity.”

If they want to get into the financial business, Facebook and its dozens of partner companies in the venture will have to accept the kind of tight regulation that banks are under, Trump said.

Powell, a powerful financial regulator who is independent of the Trump administration, told Congress last week that Facebook’s plan “raises a lot of serious concerns, and those would include around privacy, money laundering, consumer protection, financial stability.

Those are going to need to be thoroughly and publicly assessed and evaluated before this proceeds.”

Facebook’s challenges in Washington go beyond Libra.

Later Tuesday, at a Judiciary

subcommittee hearing, Facebook will be among four big tech companies — along with Google, Amazon and Apple — testifying about their impact on the innovation and entrepreneurship of smaller companies. It’s the latest chapter in lawmakers’ examination of the industry.

“What happens in tech is that one big company grows to control a lot of stuff, and if it’s allowed to stay there for too long, it slows down the sector,” Timothy Wu, a professor of law, science and technology at Columbia Law School, has said.

“Companies like Google and Facebook have come to hold too much power. There’s a growing sense that they have too much control over information, news, advertising, even who we are and what’s going on.”

Wu is among the expert witnesses scheduled to appear before the antitrust panel, which also will hear from executives from the four tech companies. ■

chat shocked residents in a way that other scandals haven’t, particularly given Rossello’s image as a gentle, even meek family man, said Mario Negron Portillo, a professor at the University of Puerto Rico’s school of public administration.

“Everyone woke up one day and the governor was spouting vulgarities,” Negron said.

“There’s nothing worse for a politician than losing legitimacy. I think Ricardo Rossello has lost legitimacy.”

One chat member calls the head of the federal oversight

board a “kitten.” Another participant jokes that a female member of the territory’s senate belonged in a whorehouse. Along with a photo of himself greeting an obese man, the governor writes “I’m still there. It’s my fourth orbit. He generates a strong gravitational pull.” Talking about a lack of forensic pathologists at a government forensic agency, Sobrino says “can’t we feed a body to the crows?”

Rivera Marin, Sobrino, Bermudez and Miranda have already resigned or been fired.

Rossello, the son of former gov-

ernor Pedro Rossello, said in a radio interview Monday that “I’m committed to keep working.”

“I know some people think differently, but I’ve determined that it’s better to keep working without distraction, dealing with all the different issues that this situation has created.”

The president of the commonwealth’s House of Representatives, Carlos Mendez Nunez, said Sunday night that legislators from Rossello’s prostatehood New Progressive Party, which has a majority in both houses, did not support

starting impeachment proceedings against the governor.

Mendez Nunez said Rossello had been given a one-week deadline to reflect, show contrition and prove he could continue to govern.

“This week he’ll meet with mayors, with legislators, and we have to give him this time,” Mendez Nunez said. “Impeachment isn’t on the table yet. But we reserve the right to evaluate if that’s merited.” ■

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‘Chatgate’ scandal... ❰❰ 18

Mayra Ponce-Mendoza, who are sisters, were arrested by the FBI on 32 counts of fraud and related charges.

The alleged fraud involves $15.5 million in federal funding between 2017 and 2019. Thirteen million was spent by the Department of Education during Keleher’s time as secretary while $2.5 million was spent by the insurance administration when Avila was the director.

Despite widespread cynicism in Puerto Rico about politicians’ corruption and self-dealing, the

www.canadianinquirer.net

Weissenstein contributed from Havana.

32

Technology Artificial intelligence makes fishing more sustainable by tracking illegal activity

BY MMELINA KOURANTIDOU Postdoctoral Fellow Marine Affairs Program Ocean Frontier Institute Dalhousie University, The Canadian Press THE WORLD’S fish stocks are in decline and our increasing demand for seafood may be one of the main drivers. But the true extent of the problem is hard to estimate, especially when fishing occurs in the high seas, which lie beyond national jurisdiction and are hard to monitor.

Conservation planners face growing pressures to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, the value of which has been estimated at US$10-23.5 billion annually.

This is an important cost for society as a whole, but also for the major high seas fishing countries such as China and Taiwan that subsidize their fleets and may have low labour costs.

Artificial intelligence (AI) could address this global environmental concern — and satisfy the need of seafood retailers and consumers to know if what they’re selling and eating is sustainable. Social scientists are beginning to think of ways that can bring AI, ecology and economics together — to design policies that target socially desirable outcomes such as preserving biodiversity values and returning the benefits of fishing to society.

At a February meeting of HUMAINT, a European Commission-led initiative on human behaviour and machine intel-

ligence, I discussed the ways AI can be used to help marine resource management.

Poached fish

Fisheries and conservation managers have put a lot of effort in recent years in establishing spatial management tools such as marine protected areas to help fish stocks recover from past over-exploitation. Fish biomass in no-take marine reserves can be on average 670 per cent greater than in unprotected areas.

Even though they are protected, these areas are not always immune to IUU fishing.

Poaching occurs and cannot be tracked easily. This can make it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of the protected area in a rigorous scientific manner.

IUU fishing results in environmental, economic and social costs — namely declining fish stocks — and can lead to a loss of profit for those fishers who play by the rules. It can turn the industry against the regulatory authorities that impose these spatial restrictions, undermine public trust in fisheries management and conservation science.

Tracking fishing with AI

Traditionally, observers have been employed, at high cost, to monitor fishing activity on board vessels. But in remote locations, such as the Arctic, it can be difficult to find observers.

AI tools have the potential to lower monitoring and operational fishing costs and improve

efficiency in fisheries management. Examples include automatic review of video footage, monitoring vessel sailing patterns for IUU fishing and illegal at-sea transshipments (moving goods from one ship to another), compliance with catch limits and bycatch or discard regulations, and improving assessment of fish stocks.

AI tools can also help build trust among fishers, scientists and society through improved seafood traceability.

Image recognition using AI can help identify the size of a vessel and its activity. It can help conservation managers understand who fishes for what in international waters where it is unclear who the fish belong to. It may also contribute to a better understanding of how

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commercially fished invasive species are spreading.

However, there are also potential risks. Some fear the data may be used for unintended purposes or that AI tools might replace manually performed tasks and make human labour obsolete, a big concern for small, coastal fishery-dependent communities.

The way forward

The Global Fishing Watch platform, an independent organization that emerged through a collaboration between Google, SkyTruth (a digital mapping non-profit organization) and Oceana, is an excellent example of how combining AI and satellite data can change our understanding of global fishing activity.

Global Fishing Watch shows vessel movement in near realtime. Its work goes beyond tracking vessel activity: the neural network (computer program) it uses can identify vessel size and engine power, the type of fishing being done and the gear used. The ambitious project goes as far as tracking human slavery and rights abuse, a well-known phenomenon in the fishing industry.

The developments in AI applications have been impressive in recent years, allowing for a better understanding of fishing activity across the globe.

Further progress in making them more widely applicable has been limited partly by the costs involved for the industry.

Concerns about the impact of digital surveillance on privacy interests are also an issue.

Despite all the progress in AI science and the development of advanced algorithms that improve the quality and speed of information transmitted for ongoing fishing activities at sea, there is still very little formalized integration of science, regulatory authorities and the fishing industry.

Making the best use of what AI tools have to offer requires experts to transcend their disciplinary boundaries and actively collaborate — so they can provide value to ongoing management efforts to conserve biodiversity and build trust among seafood consumers. ■ This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Technology

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019

33

Beyond sex robots: Erobotics explores erotic human machine interactions

BY SIMON DUBE PhD student Concordia University and Dave Anctil Chercheur affilie a l’Observatoire international sur les impacts societaux de l’intelligence artificielle et du numerique (OIISAN) Universite Laval, The Canadian Press SCIENCE FICTION films such as Blade Runner (1982), Lars and the Real Girl (2007) and Her (2013) explore the advent of human-machine relationships. And in recent years, reality has met fiction.

Powered by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and social robotics, artificial social agents are learning to communicate, learn and socialize, transforming our societies. Yet research on human-machine interaction is still in its early stages, particularly in the areas of intimacy and sexuality.

In addition to our research on the topic, we have also been involved in spearheading initiatives to remedy the lack of knowledge on intimate humanmachine relationships. In this spirit, we organized the first colloquium on erobotics at the 87th Annual Congress of the Association Francophone pour le Savoir. There, researchers discussed various themes ranging from media and gender representations of sexual technologies to their medical and therapeutic potential.

A new erotic revolution

Interestingly, intimacy and sexuality may just be some of the most important areas to consider when it comes to the AI revolution, because new advanced technologies increase the possibilities of human interaction with artificial erotic

agents or erobots.

The term erobot characterizes all virtual, embodied and augmented artificial erotic agents, as well as the technologies that produce them. This definition includes — but is not limited to — prototypes of sex robots, virtual or augmented erotic characters, artificial partner applications and erotic chatbots. The word erobot is a portmanteau of eros (a historically rich philosophical concept referring to love, desire, sensuality and sexuality, bot (a software agent), and robot (a machine capable of autonomously performing complex series of actions). The term erobot is meant to emphasize the agential and relational aspects of new erotic technologies and highlight the fact that artificial agents are becoming social actors in their own right.

enact unlimited behaviours in simulated worlds. The ability to think and learn in fundamentally different ways than humans will allow for a wide new range of intimate human-machine relationships, redefining what it means to fall in love and have sex with artificial beings.

And that, in itself, should be considered an erotic revolution. It is also the ground for the creation of a new research field called Erobotics.

The study of human-erobot interactions

One of the most (in)famous type of erobot is the humanlike sex robot. However, sex robots represent only a fraction of what erobots are and can be as a result of the advancement, combination and the interconnectivity of new technologies.

For example, progress made in conversational agents (programs that interprets and responds to users in ordinary natural languages), soft robotics (a field that constructs robots similar to living organisms), cloud computing and virtual and augmented reality will increasingly expose humans to new kinds of erotic partners.

These partners will be able to manifest themselves through various interfaces such as cellphones, computers, gaming consoles and virtual reality equipment. They will be able to take a variety of forms and

Erobotics is an emerging field of transdisciplinary research exploring our interaction with artificial erotic agents, as well as the technology that produces them. Erobotics focuses on the social, relational and agential aspects of artifical agents and the fact that we increasingly treat them as social actors in their own rights.

Not only the use of advanced technology in sex and relationship, but the artificial erotic beings that emerge from these kinds of technologies.

Erobotics develops theoretical, experimental and clinical research methods to study all phenomena related to humanerobot interactions. The field is interested in questions such as: What kinds of relationships will we develop with artificial agents? How will erobots transform our erotic minds and behaviors and influence our relationships? What regulations should be implemented regarding erobots?

As it has been suggested regarding the employment of sex toys, dolls, and robots, Erobotics operates under sexuality and technology positive frameworks. This means that Erobotics emphasizes the importance

of pleasure, freedom and diversity. Erobotics also aims to develop technologies that improve our well-being and guide the development of artificial erotic agents. Moreover, Erobotics is concerned with the ethical and social implications of erobots: for instance, who should be allowed to interact with erobots, what forms and behaviors should be possible and how will they transform our social norms regarding sexuality and intimacy?

dated interactive sex education and help people learn about respect, consent, diversity and mutuality in an innovative way.

Erobots could be used as standardized research tools to help researchers overcome ethical and methodological challenges related to sensitive research programs. They could act as both stimuli and recording instrument in research protocols and reduce risks associated with human-human erotic interactions.

Future applications of erobots

Transdisciplinary futures

with a long line of parade participants in their best costumes and forms. They didn’t only get to show their Sunday’s best but chant their world missions as well, so to speak. Among the organizations that participated in the event were: different chapters of the KOR in Quebec,

the CCFAQ, the Filipino Seafarers Association Montreal, Quebec Association of Filipino Teachers, Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Tau Gamma Phi/ Sigma Grand Fraternity/Sorority, Philippine Foundation of Montreal (Seniors in Motion), Filipino Truckers Association

of Montreal, and remittance business organizations such as Asenso Remit, World Remit, and others.

Food, fun, camaraderie, songs, dances, and the bombastic show of power with a 6-cannon gun salute to highlight the jubilation that goes with com-

More than sex robots

Erobots could have applications in health, education and research.

Erobots could be used for individuals who have trouble finding partners, who may prefer artificial agents or simply want to experience pleasure.

Erobots could also be used in medical and therapeutic settings to help with intimacyrelated fears and anxiety or to help trauma victims get reacquainted with their body and sexuality.

Erobots could be employed for exploration and practice to help people discover their erotic preferences. They could also be developed to provide vali-

But ultimately, to harness erobots’ potential, we must build transdisciplinary collaborations to tackle the complex phenomena related to erobotics. This means bringing inputs from across disciplines — from computer engineering and programming to social sciences and humanities — as well as bridging academia and the private sector.

A collaborative future is the key to develop erobots that contribute to our individual and collective well-being. ■ This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Waving the... ❰❰ 22

also a knighted Rizalist, was happily supported by family and friends in the community, the likes of Sir James dela Paz, Sir Gerry Danzil, Sir Boy Galang and their beautiful wives Rose, Linda and Anne, respectively.

The patriotic event kicked off

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ing together as one Filipino family on a day like celebrating independence day. Proving once and for all that when Pinoys unite, nothing can be more fun. Congratulations to chair Sir Dario Boco and to the Montreal team-up of CCFAQ and KOR. ■

JULY 19, 2019

34

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35

Travel Mindanao still a safe destination: DOT exec

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — Mindanao remains a safe place to visit, a tourism official said on Wednesday.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Roberto Alabado III made this remark after President Rodrigo R. Duterte warned of “very dangerous times ahead” particularly in Sulu and Basilan Islands.

Alabado said the agency will always abide with the President, however, noted that there were several areas in Mindanao that are not “troubled.”

“Regional offices (in Mindanao) are doing good efforts introducing all of the good parts of what the destinations have to offer,” Alabado said in an economic briefing in Malacañan Palace.

“If you go to Zamboanga, I don’t think it’s a troubled area.

I would encourage our Filipino tourists to visit Zamboanga and you will be pleasantly surprised how the pink beach of Santa Cruz island is,” he added.

There are also measures being taken to fan interest of investors in establishing direct routes to the Davao International Airport, the international gateway to Mindanao.

”We see that there’s a renewed interest in establishing direct routes to our international gateway in Mindanao and the Department of Tourism Routes Development Team is busy talking to these carriers to consider Davao International Airport as one of the destinations,” Alabado said.

“They are busy talking to all of these chartered flights to establish more routes going to Mindanao. That would be a key action needed to have more people visit Mindanao,” he added.

At present, there are four international connections to Davao including SingaporeDavao (Silkair), Jinjiang-Davao (XiamenAIr), Hong-Kong Davao (Cathay Dragon), and Qatar-Davao (Qatar Airways).

Davao is known for various tourist attractions including the Mt. Apo, the Philippine Eagle Center, and the Crocodile Park, among others. ■

that their sustainability efforts go beyond Boracay.

They are also now closely monitoring other famous tourist destinations such as El Nido and Coron in Palawan, Panglao in Bohol, and Siargao.

“The Secretary (Puyat) just signed the creation of an intersectoral DOT technical working group, which was organized to develop and implement action plans in these tourist ar-

eas,” Alabado said.

Alabado, however, clarified that for these areas, a closure is not necessary.

He explained that they are now coordinating with regional offices of DENR and DILG in these areas to monitor the stricter implementation of the ‘No Compliance, No Accreditation’ policy to ensure that those operating in these areas follow government regulations. ■

Doubled efforts

Alabado, meanwhile, emphasized that regional offices are also doubling efforts to change the perception of a Mindanao that has been under martial rule since the May 2017 Marawi siege. “(It’s) doubled because we are working on changing a perception. That’s why we are here to show you what is actually real on the ground,” Alabado said.

“What we’re looking at right now, there are some safe places but there are places in Mindanao where the (travel) advisories are better,” he added.

Alabado said domestic tourism is going very well with hotels in Davao City always “fully-booked” which is a good

DOT Asst. Secretary Roberto Alabado III. DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM - PHILIPPINES / FACEBOOK

indicator that tourists continue to visit Mindanao.

“It’s full of attractions and destinations now we would like all Filipinos to come visit Mindanao and see another culture,” Alabado said.

More routes

DOT ‘confident’ to take lead role in sustainable tourism

BY STEFFI RAMOS Philippine News Agency MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed confidence that it is ready to take a “lead role” when it comes to tourism sustainability by showcasing Boracay Island as its model.

In an economic briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, DOT Assistant Secretary Roberto Alabado III echoed DOT Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat’s directive that for the country to become a quality destination tourist destination, it must ensure that it is also sustainable.

“Sustainability means we keep our oceans and mountains clean, promote our heritage sites as the nation’s treasures, and create destinations that will not only build communi-

ties but will also be enjoyed by the next generation,” Alabado explained.

“We cannot accept progress without inclusive development of all our stakeholders. It is the only way that we can truly create quality destinations in the region,” he added.

Accreditation policy

In 2018, the DOT joined forces with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to rehabilitate Boracay Island, which was once described by President Rodrigo Duterte as a “cesspool.”

Following a six-month closure and rehabilitation, the DOT now strictly enforces ‘No Compliance, No Accreditation’ policy. Accommodations now needed to be accredited before

they can operate.

“Quality accommodations ensure that tourists will have a quality experience while in the Philippines,” Alabado noted.

As of July 10, 2019, there are already 356 establishments accredited to operate in the rehabilitated Boracay Island – with combined room capacity of 13,142.

Last month, the DOT bared that it will bid to host the next United Nations World Tourism Organization General Assembly in 2021 and the World Travel and Tourism Council or WTTC Global Summit in the same year.

“This move allows us to tell the world that we are confident in taking a leadership role when it comes to sustainability,” Alabado said.

Beyond Boracay

The DOT also underscored www.canadianinquirer.net

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In recent weeks, China asked Canada to suspend all its meat-export certificates to the Asian country after Chinese customs inspectors detected residue from a restricted feed additive, called ractopamine, in a batch of Canadian pork products. A statement by China’s embassy in Ottawa said the investigation uncovered at least 188 forged veterinary health certificates and argued the Canadian system had “obvious safety loopholes.”

Chinese authorities have also blocked imports of Canadian canola seeds, alleging they found pests in some shipments.

The federal government says it has tried unsuccessfully to send a delegation of inspectors to China to examine the evidence.

The economic consequences of China’s trade actions on Canadian food shipments, as well as the detentions of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, are widely seen as attempts by Beijing to pressure the Liberal government into releasing Meng.

The list from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency shows it’s not uncommon for inspectors to raise concerns about imports from China.

Between the beginning of 2017 and the end of February this year, agency officials “detected problems” with 889 food or food ingredient imports into Canada from China, according to the document.

Only four food shipments, however, from China were refused entry into Canada over that period, CFIA’s quarterly reports show.

An agency spokeswoman said CFIA investigates concerns to determine if it’s a hazard or fails to comply with Canadian standards. When necessary, she said officials take action — including minor label corrections, recalls, product seizure, entry refusals and the cancellation of licences.

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said in an emailed statement that the issues in the CFIA list do not necessarily correlate to a particular problem with imported food products from foreign countries.

“This is a list of cases reported to the

CFIA that informs operational and follow-up activities to verify compliance and take any appropriate actions, in accordance with laws and regulations,” Bibeau said.

“The Canadian food safety system is strong and recognized as one of the best in the world and the government is confident in all products approved by the CFIA as safe for local consumption as well as for export.”

The list only provides numbers for China and does not include comparable numbers for Canada’s other trading partners.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer recently called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step up inspections on all products from China and to consider slapping tariffs on imports.

Bibeau’s office has said Canada has no intention of increasing inspections on Chinese imports.

Sylvanus Kwaku Afesorgbor, an expert in agri-food trade and policy, wrote in an email that Canada would likely take a long time before implementing actions against Chinese imports.

“Canada will always play to the rules and exhaust all democratic channels available through international trade agreements such as (the World Trade Organization),” wrote Afesorgbor, an assistant professor at the University of Guelph.

“Any retaliatory action may result in trade war and that may negatively affect the two countries.”

Glenford Jameson, a Toronto-based lawyer with expertise in the food sector, said the CFIA list provides an extra level of detail that’s usually omitted from public documents. He added that none of the concerns flagged in the document are highly unusual.

“This list is a list that wouldn’t be surprising from any country, including the United States, and is really just a byproduct of having a stringent foodinspection and food-regulatory system,” Jameson said.

“No food commodity is traded at 100 per cent perfect compliance all the time.” ■

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They also agreed on an independent Sudanese investigation into the deadly crackdown by security forces on the protests last month, though it’s unclear if anyone will be held accountable.

Gen. Mohammed Hamadan Dagalo, deputy head of the military council, told a gathering of military supporters in the Nile River province, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Khartoum, that his forces, the para-

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military Rapid Support Forces, “are not angels and we will try all offenders.”

The RSF grew out of the notorious Janjaweed militias used by al-Bashir in the Darfur conflict in the early 2000s.

Protesters accuse it of leading the nationwide crackdown and the SPA has called for the force to be disbanded.

Dagalo accused “intelligence agencies” of defaming the RSF. He did not elaborate. ■ Magdy reported from Cairo.

37

Food Get that sticky rice crispy For a creative chicken chew that kids and adults love salad, get inspiration from Morocco

AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN WHILE ALMOST everyone is familiar with the classic recipe for Rice Krispies Treats, slight variations on the original abound. We think our recipe gets them just right, with the perfect ratio of marshmallow and butter to cereal for a bar with the sticky chew that kids love and that adults remember fondly.

The basic procedure is the same as the back-of-the box recipe: Melt butter and marshmallows, mix in cereal, and press into a pan—it couldn’t be simpler. But we like a generous portion of these cereal treats; for thick, substantial squares, we pat the mixture into an 8-inch square pan instead of the usual 13-by-9 inch pan.

Adding a little salt to the mix kept sweetness in check.

Greasing the knife we used to slice the bars ensured that we were able to produce neat, easy-to-cut squares. These rice crispy treats are delicious as is, but their simplicity also makes them an ideal backdrop for a whole host of flavourings and mix-ins, so we developed several variations sure to please any crowd. Any brand of toasted rice cereal will work in this recipe.

Rice crispy treats

Servings: 16 Start to finish: 1 hour

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter • 10 ounces marshmallows • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 5 cups (5 ounces) crisped rice cereal Make foil sling for 8-inch square baking pan by folding 2 long sheets of aluminum foil so each is 8 inches wide. Lay sheets of foil in pan perpendicular to one another, with extra foil hanging over edges of pan. Push foil into corners and

AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN

STEVEN DEPOLO / FLICKR, CC BY 2.0

up sides of pan, smoothing foil flush to pan. Spray with vegetable oil spray.

Melt butter in Dutch oven over low heat. Add marsh-mallows, vanilla, and salt and cook, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth, about 6 minutes.

Off heat, stir in cereal until incorporated. Transfer mixture to prepared pan and press into even layer with greased spatula.

Let treats cool for 30 minutes.

Using foil overhang, remove treats from pan. Cut into 16 squares and serve.

Variations

— Almond Joy Rice Crispy Treats: Stir 1 cup toasted sweetened shredded coconut; 1 cup toasted sliced almonds; and 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips into marshmallow mixture with cereal.

— Chocolate-Cherry Rice Crispy Treats: Add 1/2 cup white chocolate chips to pot with marshmallows. Stir 1 cup dried cherries, chopped, into marsh-mallow mixture with cereal. Microwave 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips in bowl at 50% power, stirring occasionally, until melted, 30 to 60 seconds. Drizzle over cooled treats. Let set for 15 minutes before cutting treats.

— Double Chocolate Caramel Turtle Rice Crispy Treats: Add 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips to pot with marsh-mallows. Stir 4 1/2 ounces quartered soft caramels and 1 cup

pecans, toasted and chopped, into marshmallow mixture with cereal. Microwave additional 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips in bowl at 50% power, stirring occasionally, until melted, 30 to 60 seconds.

Drizzle chocolate over cooled treats and let set for 15 minutes before cutting treats.

— Loaded Rice Crispy Treats: Stir 1 cup pretzels, broken into 1/2-inch pieces; 1/2 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts; 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup toffee bits into marshmallow mixture with cereal.

— Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats: Add 1/2 cup peanut butter chips to pot with marshmallows. Stir 1 cup dry-roasted peanuts into marshmallow -mixture with cereal. Microwave additional 1/2 cup peanut -butter chips in bowl at 50% power, stirring occasionally, until melted. Drizzle melted peanut butter chips over cooled treats and let set for 15 minutes before cutting treats.

— Salty Cashew-Caramel Rice Crispy Treats: Stir 1 1/2 cups salted roasted cashews, chopped coarse, and 4 1/2 ounces quartered soft caramels into marshmallow mixture with cereal. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 108 calories; 20 calories from fat; 2 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 6 mg cholesterol; 96 mg sodium; 22 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 11 g sugar; 1 g protein. www.canadianinquirer.net

FOR A creative chicken salad, we were inspired by the flavours of Morocco: apricots, lemon and warm spices.

To give our dressing complex flavour, we reached for garam masala, a traditional spice blend of coriander, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper. We also added a little more coriander, honey, and smoked paprika for depth.

Blooming the spices in the microwave deepened their flavours for an even bolder dressing. Chickpeas further echoed the Moroccan theme and lent heartiness, and crisp romaine combined with slightly bitter watercress made the perfect bed of greens for our toppings.

Reserving a bit of the dressing to drizzle on just before serving made the flavours pop.

Moroccan chicken salad with apricots and almonds

Servings: 4-6 Start to finish: 1 hour

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed • Salt and pepper • 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1 teaspoon garam masala • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander • Pinch smoked paprika • 1/4 cup lemon juice (2 lemons) • 1 tablespoon honey • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed • 3/4 cup dried apricots, chopped coarse • 1 shallot, sliced thin • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley • 2 romaine lettuce hearts (12 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces • 4 ounces (4 cups) watercress • ½ cup whole almonds, toasted and chopped coarse Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet over mediumhigh heat until just smoking.

Brown chicken well on first ❱❱ PAGE 38 For a creative

MICHAEL W. MAY / FLICKR, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

38

Food

JULY 19, 2019

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How to turn chickpea fritters into a delicious burger AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN FALAFEL ARE crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, packed with seasoning, and utterly irresistible. Here we essentially supersize these chickpea fritters to make a uniquely delicious burger.

We started by soaking dried chickpeas overnight to soften before grinding them into coarse bits along with onion, herbs, garlic, and spices. Traditional falafel recipes use flour and chickpeas for a dough-like texture, but uncooked flour yielded patties that were dry and bready; instead, we used a microwaved flour paste to add moisture and create a soft interior.

To ensure burger-size falafel, we used a dry measuring cup and dropped scoops of the falafel mixture into a heated skillet and then used the back of a spoon to press each portion into a 3/4-inch-thick patty.

To top off our burgers, we created a sauce -featuring tahini, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice and also added sliced cucumber and quick pickled red onions for a burger so flavourful we may never go back to falafel wrapped in pita bread.

Falafel burgers with tahiniyogurt sauce

Servings: 4 Start to finish: 1 hour

• 8 ounces dried chickpeas, picked over and rinsed • 1/3 cup tahini • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt • 3 tablespoons lemon juice, plus extra for seasoning • 3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems • 3/4 cup fresh parsley leaves • 1/2 onion, chopped fine • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 1 teaspoon table salt • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus extra as needed • 4 hamburger buns, toasted if desired • 1/4 English cucumber, sliced thin • 1/2 cup Quick Pickled Red Onions (recipe follows) Place chickpeas in large container and cover with water by 2 to 3 inches. Soak at room temperature for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours. Drain well.

Whisk tahini, yogurt, and lemon juice in medium bowl until smooth. Season with salt and extra lemon juice to taste; set aside. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 4 days; let come to room temperature and stir to recombine before serving.)

Process cilantro, parsley, onion, garlic, coriander, cumin, salt, and cayenne in food processor until mixture is finely ground, about 30 seconds, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add chickpeas and pulse 6 times. Continue to pulse until chickpeas are coarsely chopped and resemble sesame seeds, about 6 more pulses.

Transfer mixture to large bowl and set aside.

Whisk flour and 1/3 cup water in bowl until no lumps remain. Microwave, whisking every 10 seconds, until mixture thickens to stiff, smooth, pudding-like consistency that forms mound when dropped from end of whisk into bowl, 40 to 80 seconds. Stir baking powder into flour paste. Add flour paste to chickpea mixture and,

MARCO VERCH / FLICKR, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

using rubber spatula, mix until fully incorporated. (Falafel mixture can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours.)

Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Using 1 cup measure, drop 4 even portions (about 3/4 cup each) into skillet, then press each portion into 3/4-inch-thick patty with back of spoon. Cook until golden brown and crisp on first side, 4 to 6 minutes. Using 2 spatulas, gently flip patties and cook until well browned and crisp on second side, 4 to 6 minutes, adding extra oil as needed if skillet looks dry. Serve burgers on buns, topped with cucumber, pickled onions, and tahiniyogurt sauce.

Quick Pickled Red Onion

Makes about 1 cup Pickled onions are an absolute breeze to make—just a few minutes of hands-on preparation plus a 30-minute brine bath transform simple slices of red onion into a vibrant topping for burgers. Look for a firm, dry onion with thin, shiny skin and

a deep purple colour.

• 1 cup red wine vinegar • 1/3 cup sugar • 1/4 teaspoon table salt • 1 red onion, halved and sliced thin through root end Bring vinegar, sugar, and salt to simmer in small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Off heat, stir in onion, cover, and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Serve. (Pickled onions can be refrigerated in airtight container for up to 1 week.) ■ Nutrition information per serving of burger: 592 calories; 222 calories from fat; 25 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 3 mg cholesterol; 812 mg sodium; 74 g carbohydrate; 11 g fiber; 11 g sugar; 23 g protein.

Nutrition information per serving of pickled onion: 60 calories; 0 calories from fat; 0 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 149 mg sodium; 13 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 13 g sugar; 0 g protein.

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side, 6 to 8 minutes.

Flip chicken, add 1/2 cup water, and cover.

Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until chicken registers 160 F, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer chicken to cutting board, let cool slightly, then slice 1/2 inch thick on bias.

Let cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, microwave 1 tablespoon oil, garam masala, coriander, and paprika in medium bowl until oil is hot and frawww.canadianinquirer.net

grant, about 30 seconds. Whisk 3 tablespoons lemon juice, honey, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper into spice mixture. Whisking constantly, drizzle in remaining oil.

In large bowl, combine cooled chicken, chickpeas, apricots, shallot, parsley, and half of dressing and toss to coat. Let mixture sit for 15 to 30 minutes.

Whisk remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice into remaining dressing.

Toss romaine, watercress,

and almonds together in serving bowl, drizzle remaining dressing over top, and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with chicken mixture and serve. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 588 calories; 344 calories from fat; 38 g fat (5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 83 mg cholesterol; 364 mg sodium; 29 g carbohydrate; 6 g fiber; 12 g sugar; 32 g protein.

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